,:WPORT 

OUR SOCIAL CAPIIXL 






:«sl^: \t ' -^CS: -^^ 



,0 - 



*^. *■• v.- <0 



/ '^. -,^4^^^ 



^/^ ^^^: 



NEWPORT 
OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 



This edition is printed from the type., and 
is limited to Three Hundred and Forty-seven 
copies 

This is Number 




A-^ 



-^ /^' 



corvRi';HT. 1905. 



NEWPORT 

OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 



MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER 

AUTHOR OF "CROCHET LACE, AND HOW TO MAKE IT." "NEW YORKERS OF THE 

NINETEENTH CENTURY," "THE DEVIl's PICTURE-BOOKS, " VAN RENSSELAERS 

OF THE MANOR," "THE COEDE VROUW OF MANA-HA-TA, ETC. 



WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR BY HENRY HUTT 

MANY ILLUSTRATIONS IN PHOTOGRAVURE AND 

DOUBLE-TONE AND FROM DRAWINGS BY 

EDWARD STRATTON HOLLOWAY 







,Cv-„-'r 



PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON 

I . Ij . L I P P I N C O r I C () M 1' A N V 

M D C C C C V 



LiaRARYol CONGRESS 

Two Copies Received 

NOV 2G Id05 

Cooyrlgni Entty _ 
cuss Ct XXc.No. 

I i 6^ (}) 

COPY A. 






Copyright, 1905 
J. B. LiPPiNCOTT Company 



Publiihcd Novmher, igo^ 



CONTENTS 

PAOE 

CLIMATE 17 

" What Cheer?'' Situation. Climate. Longevity. Anuiseiucnt Cnrc. 
A Day of Play. A Health Resort in 1729. The Southern Visitors. 
General Washington's Introduction. Foresight of City Govern- 
ment. Rise and Fall. Reunion. Sons of Newport. Summer Cot- 
tages. A New Fashion. Insomnia. Babies. Octogenarians. First 
Medical School. Dr. John Clarke. Charter. Baptists. The Doc- 
tors. Dr. Hunter. Dr. Yignerou. Board of Health. Hospitals. 
Newport in the Van. 

SOCIl'.TY 27 

Newport in 1800. First Cottagers. Value of Land. Pioneers from 
Boston and New York. Ochre Point. Governor Lawrence. Mr. de 
Laneey Kane. Mr. de Rhani. Mr. Wetmore. A Traveller's Re- 
marks. The Hotels and their Fashionable Guests. Occupations of 
the Day. A New Era. Fashionable Visitors. Dancing Receptions. 
Notable Persons. A Newport Belle. By-the-Sea. The Dames of 
Halidon Hill. Ward McAllister. A Picnic. The Hosts. Extrava- 
gance. Cotillon Dinners. Yachting. Barn Dances. The Glen. Law- 
ton's Tea-House. Gossip. The Social Ladder. To introduce a 
Debutante. Winter Festivities. The Leaders. Theatricals. Garden 
Fetes. Balls. 

BKLLEVUE AVENUE 39 

Aquidneck Midas. Thames Street. Spring Street. Boiling Spring. 
Broadway. Belle\'ue Avenue. The Carriages. The Omnibus. The 
Drivers. The Excursionists. The Residences. Fashionable Hours. 
Names. Tradesmen's Carts. Nathaniel Kay. Rope Walk. The 
Fire. Jews' Cemetery. Methodist Chapel. Hilltop. The Readiug- 
Rooiii. Redwood Library. A Famous Tree. Mr. Tompkins. 
Mr. John N. A. Griswold. The Stone Tower. Miss Leary. Mr. 
Parrish's Villa. Mr. Garretson. The Fashionable Butcher. Rare 
Flowers. The Travers Block. Shops. Casino. Mrs. Le Roy. Mrs. 
Sidney Brooks, James Gordon Bennett. Kingscote. Ocean House. 
Mrs. Paran Stevens. Mr. Powel. Elm Court. Edna Villa. Mrs. 
5 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

BELLEVUE AVENUE— Continued 

King. Mr. Prescott Lawrence. Mrs. Weld. Mrs. Best. Mr. E. J. 
Berwind. Mr. E. R. Morse. Mr. Elisha Dyer. Wliite Lodge. Cha- 
teau Nooga. Mr. Andrews. Mr. Men-ill. Mrs. Woodbuiy Kane. 
Mrs. Joseph Stone. Swanhurst. Mr. Blight. Mrs. Harold Brown. 
Chateau sur Mer. Mrs. Jolui Carter Brown. Mayfield. The Bush. 
Mr. Grand-d'Hauteville. Mre. Gambrill. Mr. Thomas. Mr. Storrs- 
Wells. Mr. Scott. Mr. Townsend Burden. Mrs. Van Alen. Mrs. 
Baldwin. Mr. Cramp. Mr. Belmont. Mrs. Oelrichs. Mrs. Hany 
Payne "Whitney. Mrs. Havemeyer. Mrs. Astor. Mr. Nathaniel 
Thayer. Wyndhurst. Mr. Knight. Mr. Bell. Belcourt. Misses 
Gibert. Mr. Winthrop. Mrs. Pierson. General Cadwalader. 
Baroness Selliere. Mrs. Mills. Mr. Gushing. Mr. Frederick Van- 
derbilt. 

THE CLIFF WALK . . . . . . -55 

Extent. The View. Fishei-man's Rights. Trespassers. Mr. Chan- 
ler. President Roosevelt. Mr. Johnston. Bath Road. Lord Percy's 
Head-Quarters. Cliff House. Mrs. Herman Livingston. Mrs. 
Slater. Mrs. Safe. Mrs. Gammell. Forty Steps. Mrs. Goelet. 
Ochre Court. Mr. Pendleton. Vinland. The Breakers. Mimic War. 
Mr. Pearson. Ochre Point. Mr. John R. Drexel. Flower Beds. 
Mr. Fairman Rogers. Midcliff. Mr. Collard. Mr. James Wood- 
ward. Mrs. James Kernochan. Mr. Peterson. Mr. John Thompson 
Spencer. Comte de Turin. By-the-Sea. Mr. Bancroft's Flower 
Garden. Rosecliff. Mrs. Whitney. Mrs. Astor. Marble House. 
Beechwood. M. da Barrada. Mr. Robert N. Carson. Mr. Yznaga. 
The Newport Duchesses. Mr. Harry Ingersoll. Mrs. Sorchon. Mr. 
Green. Rough Point. Spouting Horn. Mr. E. T. GeiTy. Rock- 
hurst. Lands End. Governor Lippitt. Mrs. Richardson. Gibbs and 
Cliff Avenues. Professor Pumpelly. Mr. A. B. Emmons. Professor 
Wolcott Gibbs. Mrs. Eustis. Mrs. Samuel Powel. Major Theo- 
dore Gibbs. Mrs. Rogers. The Misses Mason. Bushy Park. Eas- 
ton's Beach. Mr. James Parker. Mr. F. K. Sturgis. Oaklawn. Ma- 
jor Fearing. Mr. Henry A. C. Taylor. The Pinard Cottages. 
Paradise and Purgatoiy. The Quaint Names. The Devils Chasm. 
The Legends. The Sweethearts. A Boy's Venture. The Feat of 
Trinity's Curate. The Cenotaph. The Beacons. Honyman's Hill. 
The Seekonk. The Battlefield. White Hall. Hanging Rocks. The 
Bishop's Chair. The Profile. Sachuest Point. Fish. 
6 



CONTENTS 

THE OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR 
ROADS 

Wild Scenes. Mild Climate. The First Private Estate. Bailey's 
Bcacb. Frolics. Almy's Pond. Mr. Heui-y Clews. Spouting Horn. 
Gooseben-y Island. The Ledges. Seafield. Mr. Miller. Mr. Stuyve- 
sant Fish. Mrs. Hazard. Hospital Lands. Lily Pond. Mrs. 
Pomeroy. The Lodge. Cherry Neck. Herrings. Gooseneck. The 
Messrs. Borden, ih: Olmsted. Mrs. Busk. Indian Spring. Price's 
Neck. Life-Saviug Station. Fo'castle. Rockledge. The Shoemaker. 
Light-Ship. Graves Point. The Club. Fishermen. The Reef. 
Egj'ptian Discoveries. The Entrance to Nan-agansett Bay. Mr. 
Ross Wiuan. Collins's Beach. Castle Hill. Historic Associations. 
The Naturalist. Ridge Road and Harrison Avenue. Batemans. 
Indian Track. Golf Club. Mi-s. Hague. Shamrock Cliff. Broad- 
lawns. Mr. Lewis "Cass Ledyard. Mrs. Charles Hoffman. Hammer- 
smith Farm. Governor Brentou. His History. His Estate. Jabeel 
Brenton. The Chimneys. Fort Adams. Mrs. Stowe's Novel. Beacon 
Hill. Mr. Addicks. Miss Grosvenor. Mr. Durjea. Mr. E. Morgan. 
Beach Bound. Egerston. Hamson House. Pen Craig Cottage. Mr. 
Sidney Webster. Lawnfield. Mr. Smith. Mr. Ludlow. Mrs. Sheif- 
felin. The Riviera. Mre. John Nicholas Brown. Mi's. Jones. Hai'- 
bor View. Chastellux. The Spur Roads. Coggeshall Avenue. The 
Jeffrey Road and the Regicides Home. Hazard Road. Brenton 
Road. Beacon Hill. Wyndham. Roslyn. Mr. Coats. Mr. Bland- 
ing. Narragausett Avenue. Mrs. de Lancey Kane and her Garden. 
Mr. Moi-se. Rhua Cottage. Mrs. Osgood. Mr. Stillman. Oaklawn's 
Mistress. Mrs. Tiffany. Mr. Warren. Mrs. Schermerhorn. Mr. 
Weld. Mrs. Haven. Mrs. Dulles. Mr. Carter. Mr. Wilson. Dr. 
Jacobs. Mr. William R. Travers. Mrs. Goelet. Mrs. Sheldon. 
Colonel George Richmond Feai'ing. South House. Ochre Point. 
Its History. Governor Beach Lawrence. The Old House. The Acci- 
dent. Mr. Van Alen. Colonel Edward Morreil. Vinland. 

THE BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NEWPORT 

The Entrance. Explorers, da Verra/.ani. Bay of Refuge. First 
Settlers. Early Homes, de Crevecoeui-'s Description. Newport 
Cargoes. Merchants. Mystei-y of the Sea. The Tartar. The Puri- 
tan's Prayer. Privateersmen. The Provincial Vessel. The Block- 
ade. The Liberty. The Wreck. The Endeavor. Packet Ships. Fast 
Boats. Steamboats. Old and New. Wrecks. Naval Station. Tiie 
7 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

HARBOR OF NEWPORT— Continued 

Coal Mine. Yachts. The Koadstead. The Boats. The Trip to 
Jamestown. Rose Island, rort Brown. To Fort Adams by Water. 
Ida Lewis. Brenton's Cove. View of Town. The Harbor. Counti^- 
Seats. The Torpedo Station. Goat Island. Coasters Island. 
Washington Street. Long Wharf. Rhode Island Frigates. Old 
Counting-Houses. Fort Greene. Blue Rocks. Mr. Hunter. Excur- 
sion Boats. An August Day. Yachting at Newpoi-t. A Tale. The 
" Corsair." " Electra." " Conqueror." " Marietta." " Nourmahal." 
" Truant." Cup Races. " Thirty-Footers." Monteceto. War- Ves- 
sels. Slang. Night Views. The Naval Academy. The Mecca of 
Yachts. A Sign of Wealth. Geogi-aphical Position. Ideal Harbor. 
Picking up an Anchorage. Noted Yachts. Social Conditions. The 
Etiquette. The Whai'f. Cruise of the New York Yacht Club. Fete 
in Harbor. Ro%ving Races. Cup Races. " Tuning Up." Beautiful 
Sight. Trial Races. The Fleet that follows. Generous Yachtsmen. 
Expense. Effect. Corinthian Races. Forts in the Harbor of New- 
port. Old Fort Dumpling. Castle Hill. Goat Island, de Tousard. 
In Battle. Poplai'-Trees. A Letter. Fort Adams. West Point. 
Major Totten. 

HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT . . .123 

Title. Two Capitals. Aquidn eck. Dr. Clark and Uoveruor Cod- 
dington. Roger Williams. The Price of the Island. Name. Roses. 
Pocasset. Nicholas Easton. The First Settlers. Newport's Birth. 
Its Boundaries. The First School. The State Seal. Insignia. 
Charles II. Governor Brenton. Rejoicings. Effigies. Lawmakei-s. 
Town Lots. British Absorption. Governor Coddington's Estate. 
The American King. The Great Hammersmith Estate. Daisies. 
The Chimneys. The King's SuiTeyor. Opening Thames Street. 
The Fai-ms. Jaheel Brenton. Rocky Farm. Herds. Indian Waj-. 
Hospitality. Chen-y Neck. Greedy Neighbors. Misrepresentations. 
The Letter. Flag. Governor Arnold. Governor John Wanton. 
Concealed Treasures. Rewarding the Indian. Good Houses. Na- 
tives. Canonieus. Battle. Friendship. Weapons. Occupations. 
Sports. Rewai-d of Thrift. 1769. Homes. Factories. Rope Walks. 
Home Industries. What was owed England. French and Indian 
War. Aggressions. Burned Boats. Second Fight. General Gage 
and his American Wife. Men of War. The Liberty. High- 
Handed Measures. Rebellion. First Shot for Liberty. The Fleet. 
Coasters and Fishermen. Hardships. Fugitive Moffatt. Quaker 
8 



CONTENTS 

PAOE 

HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT— Continued 

Turn Kobisoii. The Escape. No Recruits. Fort Greene. Disaffec- 
tion. Defiance. Non-Impoi-tation Agreement. Hill. " Beavei-" and 
" Gaspe." Duddiugston. Annoyances. Law-Breaking English Offi- 
cers. Letter irom the Governor. Admiral Montagu. A Paper 
War. Duddingston's Insolence. Custom-House Clearance. The 
'• Hannah." Her Escape. The " Gaspe" aground. Sleeping Crew. 
To Arms. Abraham Whipple. Stones. June 10, 1772. Capture of 
the " Gaspe." Feuimore Coopei-'s Account. Appeal to the Law. 
Court Martial. Investigations. Defiant Montagu. Keelei-'s Debts. 
Evidence. Chief Justice Hoi-smanden's Official Keport. Wesley's 
Sermon. Eederacy. Flag insulted. Unpaid Bills of English OIB- 
cei-s. The " Spywood." 

ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION . . 157 

Meetings. Taxes. Taper and Tea. The First " Tea Party" was in 
New York. Baltimore. Spirited Women. Subservient Governors. 
Independent Governor Fitch. The Original Yankee Doodle. New- 
port Artillci-y. Fort George. Parliament. Franklin and Thompson. 
Captaiu Sir James Wallace. Independence of lihode Island and 
Other Colonies. Colonial Documents. Squib. Colonial Stores. Colo- 
nel Nightingale. Defiant Governor. Street Fight. Tea destroyed. 
Lexington. Joseph Wanton. Nathaniel Greene. Newport Regiment 
commanded by Church. Its Courage. Colonel Olney. " What the 
Enemy say." Soldiers and Sailors. Correspondence. Noteworthy 
Letters. Abraham Whipple. " Catch your Man." Y''oung Navy. 
Captured Vessels. Recaptured. Bunker Hill. Troops to Boston. 
Refugees. The Friends. Signals. Beacon Hill. Net-Work of 
Lights. The Citizens. Threats. The Amazons. The Herds. Pilots. 
Colonial Navy. Return of Wallace. Alarm. Great Storm. Empty 
Town. Wallace sails. Paupers. Naval Action. Conanicut Burned. 
Generous Neighbors. Newport deserted. 

NEWPORT DURING THE WAR . . . .173 

General Lee. Return of Fleet. Conflict. Prudence abandoned. 
Repulse of British. Infant Navy. Connnander Hopkins. Move- 
ments of Fleet. Capture of Glasgow. Intrenchnicnts. Attack on 
Castle Hill. New Earthworks. American Fleet dispersed. John 
Paul Jones. Exploits. Naval Oflicers. Wreck. Recruits. Legal 
Title. Declaration of Independence. British in Possession. Army. 
9 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

NEWPORT DURING THE WAR— Continued 

Hessians. Fleet. Newspaper. Action. General Prescott. Prisoners. 
Doorsteps. Tyrant. Capture of Prescott. Reward of Barton. 
Blockades. Runners. Spies. More English Officers captured. Sta- 
tion of Troops. Raids. Repulsed. Surrender of Burgoyne. Sortie. 
Storm. Lynn captured. Columbus burned. Burgoyne in Newport. 
Treaty of Paris. The Commissioners. New Army. French Fleet. 
Action. British bm-n their Vessels. Skirmish at Sea. Destruc- 
tion. French Army. Le Comte de Rochambeau. Vohmteers. 
Landing on Conanicut. Sullivan's Ai-my. Arrival of Lord Howe. 
Great Storm. Combat between Fleets. Advance of Americans. Re- 
treat of British. Undisciplined Native Troops. French sail. Battle 
of Rhode Island. Colonel Trumbull. Poor Sherburne. Rufus 
King's Escape. 

BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION OF NEW- 
PORT 203 

Americans retreat. Sir Henry Clinton. Prescott iu Command. 
Gale. Spies. Seth Chapin. Capture of Pigot. Major Talbot. His 
Attack and Success. Raids and Forays. Destruction of Connecticut 
Towns. Governor Tryon. Major Taggart. Evacuation. Havoc. 
Breastworks on Miantonomi Hill. General Stark. Americans oc- 
cupy the Town. The Newport Mercury. Hostile Fleet. It sails. 
French. The Officers. W. E. Channing. New Scenes. Fete de St. 
Louis. Indians. Quarters. New Defences. Death of de Tiernay. 
General Washington. His Arrival. Reception. Processions. Busi- 
ness. Dinners, etc. Ball. French Almanac and American News- 
paper. Fleet sail. Engagement. Yorktown. Anxiety. City incor- 
porated. George Hazard. Society Mayors. Newport Artillery. 
Second War. Captured Vessels. 

RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 221 



FRIENDS AND_BAPTISTS 
The Settlement of the Island. First Notice. Burnyeat. George 
Fox and his Supportei-s. Crowded Meetings. Influence. First 
Meeting-House. Seven Quaker Governors. Easton's Point. Roger 
Williams. Liberal Views. The Maiiyrs. Fighting Quaker. Wil- 
liams's Grave. Strange Rehc. Admiral Wager. Captain Hull. A 
Quaker's Fight. The Baptists. Birthplace. Governor Winthrop's 
Description. 1644. Public Baptism. Quaint Rites. Blue Rocks. 
10 



CONTENTS 
RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS— Continued 

Sun Woi-ship ou Kaster Day. Dr. Clarke. Tbu CliarkT. Ureoii- 
end Church. " Winding Sheets." Itelormers. Their I'unishmeut. 
Clarke's Tanjily. Kev. Jolm Callender. A Funeral Service. Bar- 
racks. British liaid. Second Baptists. Vaughan. Uis Pond. Cen- 
tral Baptist. First Lightning liod. Dr. Styles. Parson Bliss. 
Seventh Day Baptists. Adventures. Quaker Greene. John Wan- 
ton's Pai-ty. Dr. Rodman's Punch. Quaker Address. A Woman's 
Text. Fourth Baptist. 

THE JEWS. THE CONGREGATIONALISTS 
Yeshuat Israel. Oldest Congregation in America. Liberality. 165S. 
The Law. Cotton Mather's Description. Augmentation. Trade 
Secrets. Factories. Bayben-y Candles. Portuguese Refugees. Mar- 
ranos. Touro. Congi-egation. Synagogue. Chazan. The Building. 
Eastward Movement. Sun Woi-shippers. The Pillars, Boaz and 
Jaehin. Interior. Unique Custom. Masonic Rites. Their Signs. 
The Oven. Parocheth. Ancient Scrolls. Generous and Honest Jews. 
The Beautiful Candlesticks. Deserted Synagogue. No Minyan. Dr. 
Mendes. New Organization. Societies. A Wedding. Noted Jews. 
Isaac, Abraham, and Judah Touro. Donations. Bunker Hill Monu- 
ment. Cemeleiy. Syndicate in 17C1. Library Fund. Touro Park. 
Lopez. Mai-riage. Mei-chant. The Descendants in Philadelphia. 
Jacob Riviera. His Honesty. Congi-egationalists, 1702. Meeting 
House. Mr. Clapp. New England Primer. His Habits. " A Fig 
for You All." Samuel Hopkins. Hero of Minister's Wooing. Con- 
gi-egational. Mr. Styles. President of Yale College. Anecdote. 
Negroes. Clarke Street Meeting-House. Religious Excitements. 
Dr. Styles. Scnuon on George II. Women pay the Salaiy. 

THE EPISCOPALIANS AND OTHER DENOMINATIONS 
Sects. First Building. Incorporation. Pastor. Missionai-y. Litcrai-y 
Mr. Honyman. Library. New Church. The Spire. The Stonus. 
Appeal to Peter Van Brugh Livingston. Fii-es. The Clock. Its 
Donor and Maker. Bell. Interior. The Pulpit. Warden's Staves. 
Memorial Windows. Cenotaphs. Communion and other Services. 
Organization. Organ. Its Hisloi-y. Bishop Berkeley. His Recep- 
tion. Site. Alterations. Mr. Honyman. Jefferay, de Fayette. Toiy 
Congregation. Crowned Spire. Destruction of King-'s Arms. 
Storm. Kay Chapel. Mr. and Miss Kay. Bishop Dehon. Em- 
manuel. Berkeley. Education. St. George's. St. John's. The Sum- 
11 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS— Continued 

mer Chapel. Emmanuel. Its First Home. The New Church. Berke- 
ley. Education. Travels. Visiting Priests and their Ceremony. 
Promotion. Voyage and Companions. Newspaper Reports. In 
1729. Letters. Philosophical Society. Whitehall. Alciphron. His 
Chair. Peculiarities. Roman Catholics. Imported by the French. 
Priests. Chapel in State-House. Regular Church. Fort Adams and 
Irish Workmen. New Building. St. Joseph's. Zion reconsecrated. 
St. Mary's. Methodists. Hospitable State-House. The Marlbor- 
ough Street Chapel. Second Congregation. Unitarians. Organized 
in 1835. Whitefield's Pulpit. 

FREEMASONS 273 

Imported by the Jews, 165S. Working Craftsmen. Signs. Organi- 
zation. Lodge of St. John. Meeting in Trinity Church. Patron 
Saints. King Solomon. Zenibbabel. John the Baptist. Freema- 
sons' Anns. Temple. First Civic Chai-ter. Dedication of Temple. 
Lotteries. Cable-Tow. Significance. Hosea. Candidates. King 
David's Lodge. Master Hays. Seixas. Rite of Perfection. Enoch 
and Solomon's Pillai-s. Mystic Word. Its Meaning. Histoiy. Kab- 
balah. Morgan. Antimasons. Benevolence. Buildings. Emblems. 
In Hoe Signo Vinces. Silver Mugs. Pitcher. Entered Apprentices' 
Song. Toasts. 

NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS . . . .283 

Mr. Richardson. Smybert. Birth and Education. Duke of Tus- 
cany. Emigi-ates. Indians versus Tartars. The Pictures. In Yale 
Gallei-y. Maniage. Feke. Charles Feke. Blackburn. Colonel 
John Trumbull. Mr. Van Alen. Samuel King. Teacher. Shop- 
Keeper. Students. Charles B. King. Redwood's Portrait. Lafay- 
ette. Redwood Library Collection. English Studies. Patrons. 
Claggett. Friends. Baptist. Washington AUston. School Days. 
Portrait. Mamages. Corue. Salem. Codfish Aristocracy. Home 
Decoration. Move to Newport. His Street. Tomatoes. Gilbert 
Stuart. Parents. Baptism. School Days. Facile Pencil. Dr. Hun- 
ter. Mr. and Mrs. Bannister. Abroad. Home. England. Serenade. 
London. Marriage. Dr. Johnson snubbed by Stuart. American 
Patrons. Boston. Death. Miss Jane Stuart. Newport in 1800. 
Postponed. Eccentricities of Genius. Edward G. Malbone. God- 
frey Malbone. Great Estate. House. Cost. Smugglers. The 
19 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS— Continued 

Structure. Cii-cular Staircase. J'liee. Incomes before and after 
the Revolutiou. Gardens. I'arui. Town House. Privateers. Fire. 
My Dinner. The Dainty Mistress. Family. Prescott Hall. An- 
cestral Ties. Murdered by the British. Mother and Wife. Friends. 
Mr. Blatchford and his Daughters. Francis Malbone. Estate. Mal- 
bone the Artist. Scene I'ainter. Little Pictures. Student Life. 
Sails. West's Criticisms. The Hours. Social Character. Character 
Sketches. Work. Instruction. Price. Mrs. Walter Bovvne. Her 
Letter. Death. 

BACKWARD GLANCES 307 

First Houses. Architecture. Roome's House. Copied from Dutch. 
The Slaap-Bauck. Jonathan Nichols. Various Owners. Compari- 
son and Description. Coddinglon Hall. Vaueluse. In 1754. The 
Roaches. Wooden Houses and the Exceptions. Thames Street 
paved. Old Shops. Seabui^'s Noted Shop. His Collection. Cus- 
toms. City Hall. State-House. Proclamations. Meetings. St. 
Joseph's Old Home. Liberty Tree. 1782. de Warville's Gloomy 
Description. Redwood Library founded. Subscription. Architect. 
Donations. Meetings. Books. Jealousy. Dr. Styles. British "Van- 
dalism. Mr. Ogilvie. Mr. Hunter. Southwick Donation. Other 
Donors. Vexatious Rules. Number of Books. Parent Society. 
Other Libraries. Savages. Wealth. Squaw Sachems. Wamsutta. 
His Death. King Philip. Pocasset. Change of Name. Remamage. 
Dress. Industry. Dancer. Entertainment. Church's Nan-ative. 
War-Dance. Philip's Dress. Old Queen. Feast. Weetamoe. Her 
Third Husband. His Murder and lier Death. 

WOMEN OF NEWPORT 321 

Influence. Courage. Maiy Dyer hung. Athertou. Mr. Longfel- 
low's Description. Women versus Men. Industries. Newport Mer- 
cui-y. Benjamin Franklin. His Family. Visits to Newport. First 
Newspaper. The Widow's Energy. Work. Gloves. Mrs. Chan- 
Ding's Silk Loom. Herodias Gardner. Tea. Mon-is's Parody. 
Heroines. Mrs. Robinson. Dr. Moffat. Educated Women. Flirta- 
tious Officers. The Frenchman's Gift. Mrs. Rotch. Mrs. George 
McClellan and her Cousins, the Misses Hunter. The Family. Re- 
demptionists. Sarah Wilson. Nurecs. Frivolities. Aaron Bujt's 
Daughter. Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Redmcuid. The Hcio. Captain 
Peny. The Flag. 

13 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

SLAVE-SHIPS, PIRATES, AND PRIVATEERSMEN 341 

Treatment. Descendants. Cuffy Cockroach. First Caterer. Mrs. 
Stowe's Heroine. Standing. Schools. Keligiou. Only Thermometer 
in Newport. Gardner. The Undertaker. Funeral Customs. Speech 
Island. Peculiai- Words and Expressions in Newport. Old Violet. 
Colonial Dishes. Duchess Quanimo. The Slaves. Festival. Captain 
Kidd. History. Governor Bellomont. Concealed Treasures. Gar- 
diner's Island. The Quidder Merchant. Kidd's Hollow. The Dia- 
mond Ring and Brocaded Tissue. Capture. Eeceipt for Treasure. 
Home in Newport. 

NEWPORT'S NAVAL HEROES 349 

Captain Peny. Birth. Midshipman. Appearance. First Service. 
Lake Erie. The Battle. Newport Home. Laconic Message. Matthew 
PeiTy. Japanese Waters explored. Fleet. Strange Craft. Lieu- 
tenant Duer. The Meteor. Its Omen. July 14, 1S53. Treaty Cups. 
The Treaty signed. 

CENTRES OF INTEREST 355 

Newport Reading-Eoom. Casino. Golf Club. Polo. Graves's Point 
Fishing Club. Gooseberi-y Island Club. Meet. Cricket. Sports. 
Jews' Club, 17G1. Assemblies. Town and Country Club. Old Stone 
Mill. Lack of Records. Iconoclasts. Situation. Height. Coast 
Towers. Stones. Mortar. Fireplace. Flues. Chimney. Windows. 
Floors. Baptisteries. Asti. Mellifont Abbey. English Mills. The 
Will. Mi-s. Bannister. Her Countiy-Seat. Trustworthy Descrip- 
tion. Old Diai-y. Easton. Old Deed. Construction. Mills Here and 
There. Back Sail. Lookout House. Ex-Governor Gibbs. Descrip- 
tion. Gossip. Fire. Opinion of Architects. Walls. Windows. 
" Lady's Bower." Scrolls. A Theoi-j'. No Axe used. Castaways. 
Beaver Tail. Pharos. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Frontispiece. From a drawinsr by Heiirv Hutt. 

" -^ ■' PAGE 

The Gardens, Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs 17 

" DcTDLEY House" Porch, Dr. William Bull 17 

Easton's Beach 20 

" Wakehurst," Residence of J. J. Van Alen, Esy 27 

" Rose Cliff," Residence of the Late Hon. Geohge Bancroft 27 

" Beacon Rock," Residence of E. D. SIorgan, Esq 32 

Entrance Gate, " The Elms," Residence of Edward J. Berwind, Esq. 39 

Porch, Villa of Harry Payne Whitney, Esq 39 

Bellevtje Avenue, looking North 42 

Old Beach Road, from Bellevue Avenue 42 

" The Elms," Residence op Edward J. Berwind, Esq 48 

Cliff from Forty Steps, Foot of Narragansett Avenue 52 

Cliff Walk at Sheep Point 52 

" Beechwood," Residence op Mrs. William Astor 55 

" Hopedean," Residence of Mrs. E. H. G. Slater, Annandale Road .... 5S 

" The Breakers," Residence op Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt 64 

" Cliffs," Residence op ex-Mayor Daniel B. Fearing, Annandale Road 66 

" Bleak House," Residence op Ross R. Winans, Esq 73 

" RosLYN," Residence op William Grosvenor, Esq 73 

" Si'ouTiNG Horn" 76 

Surf at Graves End Fishing Club 76 

"Breakwater," Residence of ex-Governor Charles Warren Lippitt .. 80 

"WiLDACRE," Residence op A. H. Olmsted, Esq., Oci^vn Avenue 86 

In the Harbor 95 

" Fort Dumpling" 95 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



PAGE 



" Crossways," REsroENCE OF STur\-ESANT Fish, Esq., Ocean Avenue . . 96 
Clipp Walk, showing Bath Club-House at Bailey's Beach, Residences 
OF Oliver H. P. Belmont, Esq., Benjamin Thaw, Esq., Charles H. 

DoLAN, Esq., and Mrs. T. 0. Richardson 100 

Southwest View op Newport, 1795 104 

" Ochre Court," Residence op Mrs. Ogden Goelet 112 

Monument erected to Captain Oliver Haz/Vrd Perry in Front op State- 
House, Washington Pabk 116 

Miss Mason's Villa on Lovers' Lane 123 

In the Garden at Miss Mason's Villa 123 

" The Breakers," Residence op Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt 128 

Residence op William Watts Sherman, Esq., Shepard Avenue 134 

Grand Staircase and Hall in " The Elms,'' E. J. Berwind, Esq., 

Bellevue Avenue 140 

Residence op Mrs. Richard Gambrill, Bellevue Avenue 144 

" The Chalet," Residence of PIugii L. Willoughby, Esq., Halidon Hill 150 
The Gardens at " Hammersmith Farm," Residence of Hugh D. Auchin- 

CLoss, Esq 157 

Dining-Room in Residence of Harry Payne Whitney, Esq., Bellevue 
Avenue 160 

View of the City of Newport from the Harbor 166 

" Gray Craig," Residence of J. Mitchell Clark, Esq 173 

Entrance, " Sea View," Residence op Mrs. James B. Kernochan ... 173 
" RosECLiFP," Residence op Mrs. Herman Oelrichs, Bellevue Avenue 176 
WiLLLiM Vernon's House in Mary Street, Head-Quarters of the 

Comtb de Rochambeau 182 

Pre-Revolution House built by John Bannister, Esq., General Pres- 

cott's Head-Quarters, Pelham Street 182 

" Bethshan," Residence op Major Theodore Kane Gibes, Gibbs Avenue 186 

Ball-Room in " Ochre Court," Residence op Mrs. Ogden Goelet 192 

Map showing the Positions op the American and British Armies at 

the Siege op Newport, 1778 196 

" Rough Point," Residence of Frederick W. Vanderbilt, Esq 203 

" Wyndham," Residence op Miss R. A. Grosvenor 203 

16 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAQIi 

" Marble House," Bellevue Avenue 20S 

Judging Four-in-Hands at the Horse Suow 214 

Residence of Right Rev. Henry C. Potter 221 

Gateway op the Hebrew Synagogue 221 

" Indian Spring," Residence of IMrs. J. R. Busk, Ocean Avenue 224 

Watching a Lawn-Tennis Tournament, Casino Grounds 22.8 

" RocKHUKST," Residence of Mrs. II. JIortimer Brooks, Bellevue Avk- 

NUE 232 

"Armsea," Residence of Charles F. Hoffman, Esq 240 

Map op Newport, 1713 248 

Trinity Church 250 

" Belcourt," Restoence of Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, Esq 25G 

Kay Chapel, Masonic Hall, Spire op Trinity Church, Church Street 262 

Automobile-Racing on the Bkach 268 

" The Reef," Residence of T. M. Davis, Esq 273 

Residence of Arthur B. Emmons, Esq., Gibbs Avenue 273 

" Ochre Court," Residence of Mrs. Ogden Goelet 274 

The Fern-Beech Tree on the Redwood Library Ground, Corner op 

Redwood Street and Bellevue Avenue 278 

Pelham Street, looking East 278 

Residence op John R. Drexel, Esq 283 

" Edge Hill" 283 

" Belcourt," Residence of Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, Esq 288 

Monument to the Late August Belmont, Esq., in Island Cemetery . . 294 
" ViLLAROSA," Residence of E. Rollins Morse, Esq., Bellevue Avenue 300 
Staircase, " The Breakers," Residence op Mrs. Cornelius Vandfjibilt 304 

" Chetwode," Residence op W. Storrs Wells, Esq 307 

The Redwood Library 307 

Seventh-Day Baptist Meeting-House, now Newport Historical So- 
ciety Museum 312 

The Old State-House 312 

" ViNLAND," Residence of Hamilton McK. Twombly, Esq 321 

17 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

The Gardens at " Claradon Court," RE;sn3ENCE of Edward Collings 

Knight, Esq 32i 

A Coaching Party at the Golf Club-House 326 

Clipp Walk, and the Bridge at Rough Point 328 

Purgatory 328 

" Whiteholme," Residence of Dr. Henry Barton Jacobs, Narragansett 

Avenue 336 

" Greystone," Residence of John J. Wysong, Esq 341 

" North House," Residence of William Gammell, Esq 341 

Bedroom in Residence op E. R. Thomas, Esq., Bellevub Avenue 344 
Shepard Avenue Entrance, " Chateau sur Mee," Residence of ex- 
Governor George P. Wetmore 349 

Monument erected to Commodore Matthew Perry in Touro Park ... 352 

The Golf Club 355 

Bishop Berkeley's Chair at the Hanging Rocks, Sachuest Beach . . 355 

" Inglewood," Residence of Mrs. Henry S. Hoyt, Old Beach Road 353 

The Dining-Room in " Ochre Court," Mrs. Ogden Goelet, the Cliffs 

and Ochre Point Avenue 362 

The Old Stone Tower, Touro Park 368 

A Key to Residences and Points of Interest (in pocket at end of 

volume). 
Map of Newport and Road JIap of Island of Rhode Island and 
CONANICUT Island (in pocket at end of volume). 




u^>. 









. ,*"^-i^-;i^„-.>.':''""'~^':^^^'^-*.^.S2^;^ 



Th- U_,rJer\s 
Dr. -Henry Bartot\Jek.cobs 



W^ 




CLIMATE 

HAT CHEER, NETOPr' was the 
shout of welcome that greeted the 
P%=|: white men who landed at State Rock 
>^ that beautiful June day in 1636, 
when Roger Williams, with his five 
friends, reached the shores of Nar- 
ragansett Bay, having been driven 
from the inhospitable Massachusetts 
Colony. 
" Netop" signifies friend in the Indian language, and 
the example set by the imtutored savage has been followed 
by succeeding generations of white men on Aquidneck 
Island, who have extended the same hearty welcome to all 
visitors to its rugged shores. Quiet Friends, progressive 
Baptists, staid Presbyterians, fugitive Jews, all other sects 
or religions, together with invalids, sportsmen, gay, frivo- 
lous, and fashionable people, one and all, are received in the 
same cordial manner by the hospitable people. Newport is 
beautifully situated on Aquidneck, or Isle of Peace, at the 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

mouth of Narragansett Bay, in latitude 41° 29'; longitude 
71° 20'. It is thirty miles south of Providence and one 
hundred and sixty miles east of New York. It was laid 
out with j)rim regularity by the first settlers, the streets 
crossing each other at right angles. There are no cow- 
paths or maiden's lanes to wind with perplexing charm, 
for almost all are narrow and straight. 

The Atlantic Ocean dashes against the crags and bluffs 
on the southern side, sweeping in unbroken waves from the 
Antarctic Ocean to spend its strength on this exposed coast. 
The air from the salt water tempers the climate, so that, 
even during the most rigorous winters, the snow remains 
but a short time on the cliffs, while the sea-breezes are by 
no means as keen as at other places bordering on the sea. 
During the summer Newport is favored with delightful 
weather, although sometimes a driving fog disturbs the rou- 
tine of life and makes everything moist and unpleasant. 

The fame of the peculiarly healthful climate attracted 
invalids very early in the settlement of the colony, and those 
who came found that it certainly gave them new life, and 
they shared with the residents of Newport the longevity for 
which those favored people are celebrated. Patients with 
jaded nerves are sent to the city by the sea, where the tonic 
air braces them as no medicine could. But while the ocean 
breezes do much toward the restoration of health, the 
" amusement cure" plays an important part, for visitors 
seem to be granted extraordinary energy, enabling them 
to "do more work in a day" than they could accomplish 
in three at any other place. So during the season there 
is perpetual movement and variety. Listless matrons 
and maidens who have spent the night at a dance are 
up betimes in the morning to drive their ponies or their 
electric runabouts " down to-svn," where in the crowded 



CLIMATE 

ranks of Thames Street they do their shopping and meet 
all their friends for the first time during the day. Then 
they spin down to Easton's beach for a breath of sea air, 
where the crowds of excursionists afford endless amuse- 
ment by their antics in the water, while the fair resident 
in her turn gratifies the gaping throng, who stare at her 
smart carriage and her vivid dress, that make such a 
pretty centre for the scene. 

Partly amused and wholly gratified at the attention she 
has commanded, the busy creature flics off to the Casino to 
see who are the latest arrivals and pick up some one for 
limch and bridge, stopping to speak to all chance acquaint- 
ances to gather the news of the day. Then out for a run to 
the golf links, or Bailey's beach for a dip in the sea at the 
society bathing-grounds, on which the public are not per- 
mitted to trespass. Home to lunch, after which the card- 
table is set in the " tea-house" or on the piazza, that is 
shaded by awnings but swept by cool breezes, unless there 
has been a musical matinee to attend, or some morning visits 
to pay. The afternoon brings its own exciting occupations, 
— j)erhaps a polo match or a yacht race, but certainly some 
sport in the open air that includes a spin along the ocean 
avenue or a long drive on the inland roads. Then dinner 
at eight, with a dance or kindred frolic for the evening, so 
that every hour of the day has been filled with action and 
pleasure that would be impossible were it not for the bracing 
climate that endows men and women with incredible energy. 

Invalids were despatched to Newport as early as 1729, 
and many English people who liad left their foggy birth- 
place to settle in Antigua, Jamaica, or other West Indian 
islands, found the climate relaxing and moved to Rhode 
Island, first, for the benefit of their health, and then, 
attracted by the charm of scenery, society, and comf oi*t, they 



NKWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

made it a pennanent home. Some rich Southern planters 
took advantage of the packets that ran regularly between 
Newport and Charleston or Savannah to send their fam- 
ilies North every smnmer. Among them were the Mid- 
dletons, Gaillards, Grimkes, Rutledges, Singletons, Chal- 
merses, Newells, Pollocks, etc. Until within a half-dozen 
years the town has never been without at least one of these 
families during the summer, and when Mr. Middleton died 
lately it was said he had been a yearly visitor during the 
whole of his long life, that nearly touched the century 
mark, and that he attributed his health and longevity to 
" being preserved in Newport salt." 

Major-General Charles C. Pinckney and his family were 
visitors, according to the town records, in 1799, having tried 
Newport air for the benefit of Mrs. Pinclaiey's health, 
which they had been encouraged to do by President Wash- 
ington's recommendation. 

It appears that Washington found Newport both salu- 
brious and beautiful during the two hasty visits he paid 
the town, for he writes : 

'• Newbergh, 7th June, 1783. 
" Sir, — My nephew, who will have the honor of presenting this letter 
to you, has been in bad health more than twelve months, and is advised 
to try the climate of Rhode Island by his physicians. Any courtesies 
which you may be kind enough to show him will be thankfully acknowl- 
edged by 

" Sir, yi- Most OB^ Serv*, 

"Go. Washington. 
" To William Canning, Esq"." 

The comfort of visitors has ahva\'s been studied by the 
city fathers. Every whim is planned for, every fad encour- 
aged. This makes the toAvn progressive and adds to its at- 
tractions. With unusual foresight the tastes of visitors are 
so 







m. 



CLIMATE 

consulted, as well as the health of the town. Not only is the 
drainage wisely planned, but roads are laid out and kept in 
good order. Police protection is so quietly managed that, 
while the safety of valuables is insured, but few people 
realize the unceasing watch and guard that is kept over 
them. The fire department is admirably disciplined and 
most efficient, so the smnmer resident has nothing to do but 
take his ease and enjoyment. Casual visitors or new- 
comers hardly realize the meaning of " the lap of luxury" 
until they have slipped into their own niche in Newport, 
but once entrapped, no other place will ever be quite the 
same to them. Of course, as a summer or health resort 
Newport has had its rise and its fall. Before the war with 
England it was, as has been said, favored by Southerners 
who came North to escape the enervating climate of their 
o\\Ti homes, but Newport was practically laid waste by the 
enemy, and held out few inducements to travellers after 
peace was declared. It was, in fact, so stagnant that, as 
the city fathers began to recuperate from the wasting 
trials the town had endured, they, with the energy given 
them by the wonderful climate, began to plan to entice 
people to their health-giving shores once more, as they 
fully realized the amount of money invalids were willing 
to spend for the sake of regaining strength and health. 

For this purpose a grand fete was planned to take place 
in Newport during the simimer of 1859, to which numbers 
of people were invited, but in particular the sons and daugh- 
ters of the town who were scattered all over the United 
States. They were requested to join in a great reunion on 
the twenty-third of August. This attracted crowds of 
people, who found the accommodations ample and com- 
fortable, while the climate and scenery completed the fas- 
cination. Tlie bait so well offered was greedily seized, and 

21 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

many of the visitors returned to Newport summer after 
summer, secure of finding health, amusement, or society 
that would satisfy every member of a large family, from its 
work- weary head to the baby in arms, and this " Reunion 
of the Sons and Daughters of Newport," as it was named, 
established the town so firmly as a watering-place that it 
has never receded from the position. 

Many of the sons of Newport, such as William Sher- 
man, Charles H. Eussell, etc., who had made fortunes in 
New York, returned to the haunts of their childhood and 
bought property, on which they built comfortable cottages 
that were occupied only during the summer. Up to that 
time the great American families had been scattered, as they 
had lived in their country-seats while the weather was 
warm, and only occupied their town houses in the cities 
during the winter. The men who were busy at their coimt- 
ing houses and the merchants made their homes in Boston, 
New York, Philadelphia, etc., and went with their families 
to some hotel during the hot months. It was a new de- 
parture to have these merchants establish themselves in 
cosey cottages, where they were sure of privacy and not 
burdened with the cares and responsibilities of a large 
coimtry place. This laid the foimdation for a new order 
of life, and Newport was as usual in the van by providing 
for that class of rich people who rose after the indepen- 
dence of the colonies was assured. 

There are two troubles in particular that afflict mankind 
that are alleviated by the salubrious air of Newport. One 
is insomnia, for which physicians declare the climate is a 
cure. They perhaps also take it into consideration that 
patients can have every hour of the day and many of the 
night filled with harmless amusements in the open air, which 
greatly helps the cure. It is said that no teething infant 



CLIMATE 

ever lost its life in Newport, and although this is a strong 
statement that cannot be received with credulity, it is cer- 
tain that children thrive durmg the teething period, which 
is often fatal in other climates. 

It is also claimed that there are more aged j)eople living 
at one time in the city than in any other place of its size in 
the United States, and that the inhabitants are long-lived. 
It is unquestionably the case that octogenarians are com- 
mon, and that they are vigorous and healthy, in spite of 
their years. 

But notwithstanding the fact that Newport is celebrated 
for the salubrity of its climate, it is noteworthy that it is the 
cradle of the first medical school in the country, and many 
celebrated doctors and surgeons have thriven within its 
boundaries. Besides, Newport was fomided by a physician 
named John Clarke, who imited with Roger Williams in 
obtaining from Charles II. a charter conferring greater 
civil and religious privileges than had been granted to any 
other province. Hence Rhode Island was not cursed with 
governors sent from England to rob the people under pre- 
tence of ruling them, as was the case in ahnost all of the 
other colonies. Besides' founding the city of Newport, Dr. 
Clarke started the First Baptist Church, that has been the 
parent of all others of this denomination. He died in 1676, 
at the age of sixty-eight. About 1750 William Hunter and 
Thomas Moffat, both graduates of the famous Edinburgh 
University of Medicine, arrived in Newport, where, during 
1754, '55, and '56, Dr. Hunter gave the first course of med- 
ical lectures ever delivered in America, through which he 
drew many pupils from other colonies. The school was 
unfortunately broken up on the outbreak of the war, as Dr. 
Hunter, being desirous of gaining fresh experience, offered 
his services to the Provincial government, and he marched 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

to Canada with the Rhode Island troops. He had the largest 
medical library in New England, a portion of which was 
given by his son, the Hon. William Hunter, to Brown Uni- 
versity. On his return from the war, Dr. Hunter settled 
in Newport, where he lived imtil 1777, but died from an 
accident before reaching his fiftieth year. 

Dr. Vigneron reached the Province about 1690, and not 
only lived to be ninety-five, but left so many descendants 
that he was laughingly declared to have peopled the town. 
William Vigneron Taylor, one of his descendants, was 
a lieutenant on Oliver Hazard Perry's ship at the battle 
of Lake Erie, and there are coimtless others in Newport 
who trace their descent from this worthy and long-lived 
physician. 

The father of Captain Perry's wife. Dr. Benjamin 
Mason, also studied medicine in Europe, and was a promi- 
nent member of the profession. The liistory of the physi- 
cians of Newport requires a volume to itself, but among 
the honored names of her sons is that of a descendant of one 
of the early governors of the province. Dr. William Bull, 
one of the foremost surgeons in the United States. 

As early as 1798 a board of health was established in 
Newport, which drew up a set of rules that were rigidly 
enforced, making an important step in the prosperity 
of the town that depended on keeping up its reputation 
for salubrity. This was a novel office, and Newport's ex- 
ample was not followed in any other locality for many 
years. According to the report of this board of health for 
the month of March, 1905, there were only thirty-foui- 
deaths in Newport. This is the same number reported for 
February and a trifle above the average for the month 
during the last four years. These deaths in an estimated 
population of twenty-three thousand are equivalent to an 



CLIMATE 

annual rate of 17.74 in each thousand inhabitants. In 
1792 Coasters harbor was selected for a site for a small- 
pox hospital, and on some of the islands in the harbor 
physicians had provided establishments where patients 
could be inoculated. It became fashionable among the 
yomig people to make up parties to go to these health 
resorts for the purpose of being inoculated in company. 

The Newport Asylimi was built in 1819 on Coasters 
Island, but it was moved to the interior when the land was 
sold to the United States Government. During the Revolu- 
tion the State-House was used by both English and French 
as a hospital. The Newport Hospital, incorporated in 1873, 
is a private institution on Friendship Street, near Broad- 
way. It has lately been greatly enlarged by Mrs. Cornelius 
Vanderbilt, in memory of her husband, and is fully 
equipped in every respect with all modern medical fads. 
The home for the nurses is commodious and the school 
is admirably conducted. The hospital has also a district 
nursing service. Many of the beds are endowed, — one 
to the late David King, the son of a celebrated Newport 
physician ; another to Charles Feke, an artist of Newport, 
who died in 1822 at a very advanced age. Part of the 
income of the hospital is derived from the legacy of Cap- 
tain Hazard, who left it the Rocky Farm, which was one 
of the original great demesnes of Newport. 

In the medical literature of Rhode Island, published 
in 1824, Dr. Waterhouse says, " Newport was the chosen 
resort of the rich and philosophic from nearly all parts 
of the world. There were more complete chemical labora- 
tories in Rhode Island than were to be found anywhere in 
Massachusetts prior to fifteen years ago. If it be asked, 
What were they doing in Philadelphia at this time? we 
answer. Nothing — if we except Franklin's exhibition of 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

electricity. What were they doing in Boston at this time? 
Pelting Dr. Boylstou with stones as he passed in the 
streets and breaking his windows for introducing inocula- 
tion for smallpox. And what were they doing in Rhode 
Island between 1721 and 1754? Reading the best collec- 
tion of books to be found in New England, Cambridge 
excepted ; which gave Newport a literary cast of character 
which it sustained until the Revolution." Here also inocu- 
lation was practised without disfavor, and everything 
done by the inhabitants to make themselves healthy, 
wealthy, and wise. 







^^m- 



SOCIETY 




LTHOUGH Newport had been a 
favorite summer resort since 1729 
for people from the Southern colo- 
nies, these visitors abandoned it 
^^ after the war with England, and in 
1853 the town consisted of comfort- 
able homes grouped about its centre, 
while the handsome country places, such as Hammersmith, 
Rocky Farm, and Godfrey Malbone's estate, were aban- 
doned, having been ruined by the enemy. At that date 
Newport had exactly the same nmnber of inhabitants as 
before the war, for commerce had deserted her wharves 
and fashion had not rediscovered it. 

On the tax-book of 1852 there were only twelve house- 
owners who came to its shores as summer visitors own- 
ing real estate on the island ; they were assessed on $17,500 
real and $65,000 personal estate. Four of these were from 
Boston, — Mr. Bowne, Mr. Richard Derby, Mr. Sears, and 
Mr. Mason. These names are still familiar in the city, 
although Mr. Sears 's family no longer pass their sunmiers 

27 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

at the place. But the Misses Mason have been yearly vis- 
itors, and, in spite of the loss they sustained when their 
father's house was burned to the ground, they bravely re- 
built, and are now the owners of one of the most beautiful 
homes in Newport, At this same date — namely, 1852 — there 
were four New York land-o^vners, — Mr. Preseott Hall, 
whose beautiful estate on " Tomony Hill," the site of God- 
frey Malbone's colonial establishment, was the centre of 
wit and beauty for many years; Mr. Henry de Rham, 
Mr. de Lancey Kane, and Governor Beach Lawrence. 

The estate of the latter was on Ochre Point, and the farm 
cultivated by him as a gentleman's coimtry place has since 
his death been cut into a dozen portions, that are occu- 
pied by the ultra-fashionables of the gay world. It was the 
largest demesne belonging to any of the smnmer residents, 
and was always noted for the hospitality of its host. Gov- 
ernor Lawrence had married the daughter of Archibald 
Gracie, a wealthy merchant of New York, the owner of a 
fleet of vessels whose red-and-white signal was well known 
all over the world. Mr, Pendleton, Mr. James Van Alen, 
Mr, Hamilton Twombly, Mr. Vanderbilt, Mr. Morrell, Mr. 
Wysong, Mr, Eldridge, Mr, Shields, Mr. Drexel, and Mr. 
Pearson have divided the Ochre Point property among 
them, and there is no more lovely situation on the Cliffs. 

Mr. de Lancey Kane, who married Miss Astor, purchased 
on Bath Road the estate now owned by Dr. Mattison. The 
heart-strings of his children are attached to this beautiful 
early home, and Mrs. Augustus Jay, Mr. de Lancey Astor 
Kane, and Mr. Woodbury Kane all have country-seats in 
Newport. 

Mr. Henry de Rham's simple house still stands on Belle- 
vue Avenue, almost unchanged, although its owner has long 
passed over to the great majority. Mr. de Rham owned the 



SOCIETY 

handsome house on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ninth 
Street, where his son still resides. The beautiful country- 
seat named Ghee, a few miles above Garrison, on the Hud- 
son River, claimed the family for the spring and autumn, 
who only jiassed July and August in their Newport cottage. 
His grandson, Mr. Casimer de Rham, has a house on Red 
Cross Avenue, his principal one being at Tuxedo. Besides 
the eight Boston and New York land-o^^^lers, Mr. Mid- 
dleton, of South Carolina, and Mr. Wetmore were the only 
non-resident o^NTiers of houses in Newport in 1853. The 
cottages of both were on Belle^'ue Avenue, and both have 
disappeared before the march of progress, although Mr. 
Wetmore 's has only given place to the handsome granite 
house built by his son, Ex-Governor of Rhode Island and 
United States Senator George Peabody Wetmore. About 
this time a portion of the Hammersmith estate near Fort 
Adams sold for what was considered the high price of five 
thousand dollars. From 1855, for several years, Mr. de 
Rham gave weekly dinners to a group of men who met at 
his home to enjoy the French cooking and discuss rare Ma- 
deira. Among them were George Tiffany, John Julius 
Pringle, Dr. Mercer, of South Carolina, Henry Middleton, 
of the same place, Henry Van Rensselaer, William Wad- 
dington, while Dr. Mercer, of Trinity Church, and Dr. 
Thaj^er, of the Presbj'ierian, were occasional visitors. 

The charms of Newport scenery and climate have always 
been acknowledged, but it had few visitors from 1800 to 1850 
except those who paused there for an hour or so on their 
journey between New York and Boston, for at that time the 
Fall River boats made the quickest and most comfortable 
coimection between the two cities, and travellers were often 
landed at Newport to pursue their journey by land. Under 
date of May 31, 1834, Mr. Philip Hone, at one time mayor 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of New York, and a well-kno-mi and genial Ion vivant, notes 
in Ms diary: " We embarked on board the fine steamboat 
' Boston/ the accommodations of which are at least equal 
to any on the Hudson Eiver. She has a round-house and 
pleasant state-rooms on the upper deck, one of which 
was occupied by the girls (Miss Joanna Anthon and Miss 
Margaret Hone). The position of ISTewport is superb, and 
I was surprised to find it so large a town." But the little 
place oifered few attractions to the travellers, who pushed 
on their journey without visiting the cliffs or noting the 
beautiful views on the ocean side. In a later visit to 
Newport Mr. Hone enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. Charles 
H. Eussell at Oaklawn, on ISTarragansett Avenue, when 
the worthy mayor was surprised and delighted at the 
features of the place that he had never observed when 
passing hastily through it. Cottage life in 1850 was 
embryonic, but the hotels were well patronized. These 
were the Ocean House, the Atlantic, the Bellevue, and 
the Fremont. One after the other became fashionable. 
The Bellevue attracted Mrs. de Lancey Kane's cousin, 
Mrs. Charles Astor Bristed, who was a fashionable 
beauty, Mrs. James W. Otis, Mrs. J. Carson Brevoort, 
Mrs. James Wadsworth, Mrs. Archibald Gracie King, 
Mrs. Theodore Gentil, Mrs. Richie, Miss Theresa Moore, 
and many others. Whitfields, afterwards Touro House, 
was a favorite resort. Mrs. Calvert, Mrs. Ralfe Izard, 
Mrs. Cofiin, Mrs. William Waddington, and Mrs. Pringle 
patronized it, and it was considered the centre of the 
Southern colony. 

The amusements of the day were staid and stately. A 
simple dinner at two o'clock served in the bare hotel dining- 
room, on the plainest white china, was followed by a drive 
in a barouche hired from a neighboring livery stable, in 



SOCIETY 

which a couple of matrons generally, with two children on 
the small seat facing them and one on the box, would go 
for a drive on Easton's beach or the West Road. 

After tea at six the ladies would play a quiet game of 
whist without stakes, and retire to their rooms before ten 
o'clock. There were few members of the other sex to be met 
in Newport at these days, and such functions as dances or 
picnics were either unknoAvn or very rare. An occasional 
" hop" at one of the hotels was the extent of the dissipation, 
with the exception of one grand fancy ball at the OceaTi 
House, which was attended by all the visitors to Newport, 
given about 1854. Between 1860 and 1870 the tide of 
fashion set strongly toward Newport, and the change was 
as great as that which occurred after 1850. Not only were 
the hotels and boarding-houses crowded during July and 
August, but many pretty cottages were built. Those who 
wished to combine comfort and privacy without the trouble 
of housekeeping, would hire rooms in a private house, which 
the owner woidd keep for them. This was the case with the 
Gofe cottage on Old Beach Road, to which Miss Sarah Cole- 
man, of Washington, went yearly, having as her guest the 
celebrated beauty Mrs. Hazlehurst, of Philadelphia, or Mrs. 
Alden, from West Point. The four handsome sisters, Mrs. 
Abbott Lawrence, Mrs. Amos Taylor, Mrs. Dahlgren, and 
Mrs. James Paul, rallied around them the beaux of the 
place, among them being Mr. Horace Binney, Mr. Clement 
Barclay, and Mr. Alexander BroA\'n, all well-kno^vn Phila- 
delphians. Mrs. Robert Carter, from Louisiana, and Mrs. 
Nicholas Beach soon came to the front as hostesses, setting 
the example of giving entertainments in the once quiet 
place. The latter lived in Catherine Street, and was the first 
to give " dancing receptions" in the afternoon, which made 
a great sensation at the time. 

SI 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

There were many other rich and fashionable people at- 
tracted to Newport not only by the climate, but also by the 
amusements it afforded. Mr. Robert Ray had a cottage on 
Dixon Street. Mr. and Mrs. Russell, with their clever 
daughter, afterwards Mme. Outre, lived on Narragansett 
Avenue. Mr. Edward Ogden had a house near by, in which 
Miss Elizabeth Callender afterwards lived. Miss Theodosia 
Davis was a well-loiown figure, with the witty Miss Mary 
Pringle and her clever friend, Miss Ida Powell, now Mrs. 
Johnson, of Philadelphia, who is the mother of Mr. Edward 
Morrell ; and the charming Miss Newmans, whose cottage, 
called ' * The Nutshell, ' ' on Catherine Street, was always in 
vogue. 

Miss Charlotte Cushman was a yearly visitor, and her 
death made a great gap in the gay set of her day. Miss 
Bessie Balch, the authoress of " Mustard Leaves," lived 
at Purgatory, but she also was a leader in fashionable 
gayeties. Mr. Robert Maitland's lovely place was on the 
harbor side near old Fort Greene, and General Henry 
Van Rensselaer built a large house on Catherine Street, 
with an entrance on Ayrault Street, which has passed 
through many hands and been much altered, and is now 
known as White Hall. Here he brought his large family 
from the Rensselaerswyck estate in New York, that his 
yoimg daughters fovmd too dull for their ga}^ tastes. 

It was doubtless because Mrs. Belmont had many asso- 
ciations with Newport that she deserted her beautiful coun- 
try-seat at Staten Island and built By-the-Sea, the pioneer 
riparian estate on Bellevue Avenue, for her father was the 
celebrated Commodore Matthew Perry. For many years 
Mrs. Belmont was the social leader of Newport, her mag- 
nificent entertainments, beautiful jewels, and handsome cos- 
tumes making her a prominent person. Mrs. Lewis Ruth- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAI, CA Pl'l AL 



There were many other rich and fa 
tracted to Newport not only by the din 
amusements it afforded. Mr. Robert li 
Dixon Street. Mr. and Mrs. Ru.-.-. ]i 
daughter, afterwards Mme. Oiitrt'% i 
Avenue. Mr. Edward Ogden had a h"ii 
Miss Elizabeth Callender afterwards bv 
Davis was a well-loiown fignre, wit' 
Pringle and her clever friend, Miss 
Johnson, of Philadelphia, who is tho ■..:' 
Morrell ; and the charming Miss Ke •• : 
called " The Nutshell," on Catherin- > 
vogue. 

Miss Oiinrlotte Cushman was u > 
death made a great gap in the ga^ ^ 
Bessie Baleh, the authoress of " ''•' :- 
at Purgatory, but she also was ;) . 
gayeties. Mr. Robert Maitlan<rs i 
harbor side near old Fort <' 
Van Rensselaer built a larp 
with an entrance on Ayra^ 
through many hands and l.x 
known as White Hall. Uvn: Lt i 
from the Rensselaersw^ i- i^-ciate 
young daughters foujc; 

It was doubtless be 
ciations with Newpori ; 
try-seat at Staten Isl;!. 
riparian estate on Bell 
celebrated Commodore 
Mrs. Belmont was the ho. i.j; ^ . \ | 

nificent entertainments, bcjiui , . y .^ . j.^, and li 
tumes making her a prominent person. Mrs. 



.ible people at- 

hut also by the 

It'. i;ai; a cottage on 

I li V. ilh their clever 

: .; <m Narraganselt 

"u-,e near by, in which 

1 5 V t -'J . Miss Theodosia 

<• mtty Miss Mary 

Powell, now Mrs. 

:' !her of Mr. Edward 

• :;;Hns, whose cottage, 

>'reet, was always in 

ii-ly visitor, and her 

^ ' of her day. Miss 

:-lard Leaves," lived 

•ider in fashionable 

;\' place was on the 

d General Henry 

Catherine Street, 

liich has passed 

•red, and is now 

iiiiily 

.. his 

i many asso- 

lutiful coun- 

. the pioneer 

for her father was the 



SOCIETY 

erford, Mrs. Buonaparte, Mrs. Hugh Dickey, Mrs. Mary- 
Mason Jones, and Mrs. George Jones made Halidon Hill 
fashionable wlien the tide seemed to have set in the oppo- 
site direction, for at one period the cliffs attracted all new- 
comers. The gay set at Newport owes a great deal to Mr. 
Ward McAllister, who for many years was indefatigable 
in promoting the amusements for the summer visitors. If 
]\frs. Nicholas Beach inaugurated dancing receptions, and 
]\[rs. Belmont dinners, Mr. McAllister started breakfasts 
and picnics on a scale never before attempted. In his youth 
Mr. McAllister had been one of the visitors from the South 
when the wildest dissipation was to have a picnic in order 
to fly kites from Purgatory and have a clam chowder at 
Paradise, with the well-kno\vn 1)0% vivants, Samuel Ward 
and Dr. Francis, of New York, as cooks. Mr. McAllister 
had a farm he purchased in 1853, on the outskirts of New- 
port, at which he seldom resided, but usually hired a cottage 
on BellevTie Avenue and gave imi^romptu entertainments 
at his covmtry-seat. Every detail of these picnics was 
planned with care. Music, flowers, and food were provided, 
so when the gay caravan arrived they had nothing to do but 
enjoy themselves, unless some delinquent had forgotten to 
carry out with him the champagne, grapes, or filet dc 
hmuf pique that was intended as his contribution to the 
feast. 

It was a gay scene in Bellevue Avenue when a picnic 
party had a rendezvous there preparatory to the long drive 
to the farm. Drags with a smartly dressed load of meu, 
maids, and matrons; society phaetons driven by pretty 
yomig girls, with, perhaps, like Miss Fearing, three horses 
driven unicorn; tall dog-carts that promised a delightful 
tete-d-tete drive; and a landau with a load of chaperons 
quite as ready for a frolic as the youngest there. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Major Macomb, Ward McAllister, and Clement Barclay 
were in their element as the pioneers of these picnics, who 
jiromoted good cheer and flirtations, and were delighted 
when by their able tactics they succeeded in throwing young 
people together, for they were great match-makers, and 
aimed at being in the van on such occasions. 

Before the Civil War people lived comfortably Init unos- 
tentatiously in the great cities. There was certainly 
wealth, but even in New York there were not more than a 
couple of families who spent fifty thousand dollars a year 
on their living expenses. This altered by leaps and bounds, 
so that by the beginning of the twentieth century it would 
be impossible to say this even in a small community, much 
less in the extravagant little city of Newport, where a per- 
son can hardly live in the social circle without spending that 
amount; therefore what would have been a simple inex- 
pensive picnic in the hands of people in other parts of the 
country became a fete cliampetre under the able manage- 
ment of the society leaders. 

Of course, novelties are always desirable, and the host or 
hostess who can amuse the satiated crowd is the ruler for the 
time being. For many years the picnics devised by Mr. 
Ward McAllister were well attended, but as the appetite 
for them began to pall, he planned what he called cotillon 
dinners, that were given at his Bayside Farm. The table 
was laid in the garden and the dinner was served at six 
o'clock, after which the guests strolled in the grounds by 
moonlight, then danced all evening in the barn, that was 
decorated with gerbes of wheat, pumpkins, ears of maize, or 
other rural trophies, making a capital backgrovmd for the 
ultra-fashionable gowns of all the beautiful women of the 
place. 

Another favorite form of entei-tainment has always been 



SOCIETY 

an aquatic picnic, when the guests assembled at the little 
yacht club station and were transported in gigs, launches, 
etc., to the smart yachts anchored in the bay. Sometimes 
the entertainment would be provided on one of the yachts, 
at others a rendezvous would be given on Conanicut or the 
stone bridge, when a clam-bake followed by a dance was pro- 
vided by the hosts of the day. It occasionally happened that 
a storm would come up, when the flimsily dressed women 
would shiver on the homeward journey down the bay. But 
the prudent yachtsmen, after one disastrous experience, 
have carefully provided for the comfort of their guests, and 
at this day the yachts' lockers are filled with long cloth 
cloaks made by the Shakers of Lebanon. These cloaks are 
warm and comfortable, and are of the colors of the yacht 
signal. So when a group of pretty women are garbed in 
these quaint coverings, they add to the gayety of the scene. 
The restlessness of the smnmer colony is well known. 
All amusements pall after a couple of seasons and inventive- 
ness has a limit. The picnics and cotillon dinners given by 
Mr. McAllister were equalled by barn dances at Oaklawn, at 
one time Mr. August Belmont's farm, but now belonging to 
Mr. Alfred Vanderbilt. The Glen was for years a favorite 
picnic ground, but after it was purchased by Mr. Henry 
Taylor it was closed to the public and is rarely used, as 
Mr. Taylor prefers to entertain on his yacht the " Wan- 
derer. ' ' But in old days Mrs. Durf ee 's tea-house was a well- 
patronized resort. The place is beautifully wooded, and was 
formerly called Cvmdall's Mills, from a fulling-mill that was 
built over the stream in pre-Revolutionary times, owned by 
Joseph Cundall. La\\'ton's tea-house was also a pleasant 
place for an evening frolic, and "Aunt Hannah's" shovel 
cakes were delicious eating for those jaded with French 
dishes. There is always much gossip about these vagrant 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

entertainments, that is generally whispered by the coach- 
men or grooms, who, having no share in the amusements, are 
critical observers of all that passes. The gay votaries of 
fashion pay little heed to the servants who scan their every 
movement, but they would regret their carelessness could 
they hear how their innocent gambols are misinterpreted by 
the spectators. There is no greater gossip than the typical 
Newport coachman, and no place where gossip is more rap- 
idly exchanged than at the cab-stands on Bellevue Avenue, 
where liveried and non-liveried coachmen alike " pass the 
time of daj^" It is impossible to chronicle the leaders of 
fashion, or even those composing the smart set of Newport, 
from 1850 to the present time. The suns rise and set rap- 
idly, so the persons with their feet on the lowest rung of the 
social ladder of one season have mounted to the'top within 
a few months. Those who have but lately scaled the heights 
are always most scornful of the climbers below them, to- 
tally ignoring their own struggles. Mr. Ward McAllister, 
in " Society as I have found it," says, when making sug- 
gestions as to the proper way of introducing a young girl, 
particularly if not well supported by an old family connec- 
tion, '' She should have a pair of ponies, a pretty trap, with 
a well-gotten-up groom, and Worth to dress her." This 
might have been good advice during the " fin de siecle," but 
we live differently in the new century, and the dame with 
social aspirations has a more difficult role to play and one 
not overcome by French dresses and a pony carriage. 

The pet amusements of the day are garden fetes. Some- 
times these are arranged to take place by moonlight, when 
the grounds are lighted by Japanese lanterns hung from 
the trees. One hostess had seats placed on the lawn, where 
the guests sat in darkness to watch a vaudeville perform- 
ance on a miniature stage. Magnificent balls are given by 



SOCIETY 

different hostesses, who spare uo pains to make their houses 
into elaborately decorated backgrounds for their guests. 
One great ball combined dancing with a circus show. The 
booths were set out on the la\\Ti and visited one by one by 
the guests, Avho enjoyed watching the freaks, ate peanuts, 
and drank pink lemonade, neglecting the beautiful ball- 
room and enticing band that tried to tempt them to dance 
instead of wandering about the electrically lighted grounds. 
But l)alls are not always successful in Newport, owing to a 
lack of dancing men, and hostesses prefer to devote their 
attention to dinners or impromptu entertainments of a more 
simple character. For many years the winter colony of 
Newport was as gay as its summer one. The ancient assem- 
blies were revived, and, with the families of the army officers 
stationed at Fort Adams and the naval men at Coasters 
Island, the ball was kept rolling. Mrs. Edward Neill, Mrs. 
William Redmond, Mrs. Russell Forsyth, Mrs. Richard 
Derbv, Mrs. Kuhn, Miss de Jongh, Miss Powel, Mrs. Bed- 
low, and many others formed a pleasant coterie. This set 
of people were interested in the drama and gave a series of 
theatrical performances that were so good that the amateur 
troop was called on to repeat the plays in other localities. 
Mr. Bedlow was an excellent actor, and in the part of " the 
used-up man" made a decided hit. 

The winter colony to-day can hardly be called gay, as 
all who can go to other cities generally move at the end of 
the season, but Miss Wormley and the late Miss Woolsey 
gathered about them a few congenial souls who delighted 
in their society. The death of Mrs. Brinley made a great 
rent in this circle, from which it has not recovered, so the 
winter society of Newport can almost be expressed by a 
cipher. 



'-^"-s%A^3 












^mk^^^ 




^^^A^ 



"TKeElms- 
Edw»rdJ.Benvir^d.Esq. 



BELLEVUE AVENUE 




QUIDNECK, or the Isle of Peace, 
as it was named by the Indians 
who lived on the shores of Narra- 
gansett Bay, is shaped somewhat 
like a boot that was made for the 
left leg. The heel touches the ocean 
at Sachuest Cape, its toe pointing 
westward. The leg of the boot is washed on one side by 
Sachuest River and on the other by the magnificent bay that 
gives such an easy access to the island. 

On the sole of the boot are grouped many of the cele- 
brated country-seats, the windows of which command unri- 
valled views of the sea. 

On the harbor side, or what might be termed the instep 
of the boot (to carry the simile still farther), are many 
picturesque villas belonging to the summer colony. The 
bristling walls of Fort Adams, on Brenton's Point, protect 
the entrance to the harbor of Newport, overlooking the town 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

as it stretches along the water-side or covers the hills with 
crowded, bustling streets. 

The world that amuses itself, the fashionable throng, or 
what is known as the " smart set," clusters on the hill-top or 
spreads over the rocky crags. The vim and vitality of these 
people seem to be the pulse of the continent, that is forever 
beating and keeping alive the great body public. They live 
in knots and groups as close as possible, so it somethnes hap- 
pens that large and handsome houses nearly cover the patch 
of valuable ground owned by the rich proprietor, for with 
all his vaunted wealth, he has been unable to secure more 
land on the celebrated Bellevue Avenue, which apparently 
is the Mecca of each mammon worshipper in the coimtry. 

Starting from the Jews' Cemetery, on both sides of 
Bellevue Avenue new houses are erected yearly. They are 
built close to the dusty street or perched on bare crags. The 
power of wealth, like Aladdin's lamp, creates new places in 
a night. The houses are graced with vines, fragrant flowers 
gleam on every side, tall trees shroud the place as if they 
had grown there for years. The desolate spot becomes a 
paradise, and this happens with such frequency that the old 
inhabitants of Newport hardly remark that Midas 's purse 
has added another palace to their beautiful township. 

The city of Newport has three streets dividing it longi- 
tudinally. The first is Thames Street, that skirts the har- 
bor. It is the business centre, on which the banks and shops 
are placed. It is still lined with gabled houses that are relics 
of Colonial times, although the small-paned windows on 
their fronts have been replaced by plate glass, the elf ect of 
which quarrels with the moss-covered roofs overhanging 
them. 

Spring Street runs parallel to Thames, and on it the 
houses of the first settlers were built, attracted by a bubbling 



BELLEVUE AVENUE 

fountain that flowed from its source along what is now 
Washington Park and fed the f ovintain that was originally 
a hollowed log. Old persons in the middle of the last cen- 
tuiy recalled a childish rhyme that they were accustomed to 
chant as they danced about the spring : 

" Look yonder, look yonder, 
And see a great wonder. 
Four and twenty pots boiling 
And nary coal under." 

Spring Street runs from the Parade, or Mall, to Bailey's 
beach, on the southern part of the neck, and terminates in 
the ocean. To be sure, it is called Coggeshall Avenue for 
part of the distance, which confuses the stranger. 

Broadway starts from the Mall and leads to Middletown, 
but loses its name when it joins the West Road at Mile 
Corner. During Newport's summer season her o^\ai favor- 
ite thoroughfare presents a kaleidoscopic scene unrivalled 
in its brilliancy. Bellevue Avenue was created for the 
especial benefit of the gay world, and is seldom used by 
the old I'esidents of the town. It was at first merely a lane 
leading from the Hebrew cemetery to Bowery Street, past 
the Bowling Green where Redwood Library now stands, 
and was called Jew Street. 

In 1853 the editor of the Newport Mercury wrote: 

" Within a few years a street has been opened running 
south in continuation of Touro Street, and called South 
Touro Street. It ]Dassed through several valuable farms 
on the brow of the Mil, the lots gently falling away on 
either side. These lots were quickly bought for building 
purposes." 

The Atlantic House, the Bellevue, and the Fremont were 
on or clos(i to tliis avenue, with the Ocean House on the edge 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of the town, for be it remembered tliat Newport was a 
watering-place as early as 1729, with many boardiug-honses, 
that expanded into hotels as people from the South, partic- 
ularly Charleston, became frequent visitors, and after these 
hotels were built Newport became established as a fashion- 
able sunnner resort, with Bellevue Avenue as the artery con- 
necting the gay with the business world. On a smnmer's 
afternoon a procession of vehicles pass and repass, attract- 
ing the eye by their fashionable appearance, the equipages, 
servants, horses, and harness being as perfect in their way 
as the well-dressed women occupying the seat of honor. The 
key-note of New]5ort is struck on this arena to the best 
advantage, for the rivalry is extreme among the leaders of 
society, and in no place is it better observed than on this 
dress parade. New fashions are launched here that are rap- 
idly reviewed, accepted, or condemned. If the seal of ap- 
proval is set upon them they are quickly adopted, and are 
imitated all over the country; if disdained they drop in- 
stantly out of sight. A new livery, a carriage of novel con- 
struction, a peculiar dress, is displayed on Bellevue Avenue, 
and its fate is decided with incredible rapidity. The 
vehicles are of all shapes, styles, and construction, but the 
fashionable ones are easily sorted from the others. There 
are automobiles, electrics, victorias, landaus, omnibuses, 
bicycles, and baby-carriages, that crowd past each other 
with bewildering rapidity. Perhaps the most useful but 
imornamental is the long omnibus drawn by two, four, or 
six horses, the sides of which are placarded with odd signs. 
These conveyances are usually well filled with excursionists 
from near-by places who have landed from a crowded steam- 
boat at a Newport wharf, from which they have hastened 
into one of these carry-alls, anxious to see the sights of 
the famous fashionable resort. Men, women, and children 



BELLEVUE AVENUE 

peer out of the opeu sides, listening eagerly to the gossix) 
poured forth by the driver. These men are often wits 
after their own fashion. They are familiar with the his- 
tory of every house and its owner, and can tell the exact 
amount of his income as well as the wages he pays his 
servants. As for the skeleton in the closet, no bolts or 
bars could conceal it from the hackmen on Bellevue Ave- 
nue. Every i)asser-l)y is commented upon by these drivers 
for the benefit of his " load." Nor are the men easily 
daunted, for if a noted personage was not to be seen during 
the drive, the conductor would not hesitate to j^oiut out 
a showily dressed woman and give her the name of a 
celebrated society leader, who may, in fact, be wearing 
deep mourning. 

The moist children, sticky with half-eaten cakes and 
candy, care little for the patter so rapidly poured forth by 
the driver, but their elders hang eagerly on his words, ask- 
ing one question after another as they recognize the names 
of people already well known to them through the social 
topic column of the newspapers, and to see whom they have 
come long distances from their own dull homes to what is 
indeed fairy-land. But it is not only the throng on the road- 
way that interests the excursionists, the townspeople, or the 
fashionable occupants of the vehicles, for they are quite as 
much attracted by the cottages, villas, houses, mansions, or 
palaces that line Bellevue Avenue. Many of these resi- 
dences are typical and interesting on that account, and 
since they belong to fashionable people they have an addi- 
tional attraction. They are intensely modern, and have no 
historical background, for this part of Newport was only 
used as pasture-land until about 1850. But the owners are 
foremost in the public eye, at least that eye that concerns 
itself only with the movements, entertainments, dress, or 

43 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

customs of the people who, having great wealth, spend it 
lavishly on amusing themselves. 

The houses first built on the line of Bellevue Avenue 
were frame buildings that were intended merely as tem- 
porary homes for the summer. But these have one by one 
given way to structures of brick, marble, or stone, so that 
the homes of the first fashionable world have left no records 
behind them and are seldom recalled. 

These cottages are hardly to be regretted, for they were 
more comfortable than artistic. The present mansions are 
far more beautiful from an architectural stand-point. The 
hour for the fashionable parade changes from decade to 
decade, and sometimes yearly. About 1850 six o'clock was 
the time decreed, and every season sees the ebb and flow 
from two to seven o'clock, as various amusements claim the 
time of the pleasure-loving throng. When every one dined 
at two or three o'clock it was " the thing" to visit Fort 
Adams two afternoons in the week to listen to the band 
play at evening parade. The alternate days were spent on 
Easton's beach when the tide was low. At this time a 
barouche seating four persons was the fashionable car- 
riage. Now that the dining hour is eight o'clock, a great 
deal of visiting is done in the morning. Gay limcheons fol- 
low at two o'clock. Bridge parties are held from three to 
five, musicals, teas, and receptions from five to seven, while 
the evenings are occupied with grand dinners, after which 
music or cards keep the ball going, so there is seldom an 
hour of the day when Bellevue Avenue is not lined with 
carriages, their gayty dressed occupants " on pleasure 
bent." Sometimes it is a racing automobile, again a tiny 
basket cart drawn by a shaggy pony driven by fancifully 
dressed children. The electric runabouts are the most use- 
ful of the fashionable carriages in Newport, for they are 



BELLEVUK AVI-.NUE 

easily guided by a lady and ready at all hours of the day. 
Fashionable women give pet names to their automobiles or 
electric carriages. Some are called " Puff-puffs," another 
is familiarly named "Angelica," while a third is " T()l)y." 
The reason or origin of this is obscure. It is " the tiling," 
so it must be right. 

One pair of horses could not stand the work demanded 
by the gay fashionable dames, so the motors are a conveni- 
ence, as they quickly cover great distances and never com- 
plain of waiting in the hot sun. There is one peculiarity 
about Newport, which is that everything is smart, well 
mounted, and with an air or st.yle of its own. No shabby, 
old-fashioned vehicles appear in the throng. Even the little 
hacks get painted within the memory of man, and have fast 
horses before them, while the carts of the NewjDort trades- 
people set a fashion of their own. The bodies are open, but 
ai-e covered with a gayly striped awning only two feet above 
the cart, that protects the contents from sun and rain, and 
is more sightly than delivery carts in any other part of 
the country. 

Bellevue Avenue begins in front of the Jews' Cemetery 
where Touro and Kay Streets join in making a triangle. 
The latter bears the name of the King's Custom Inspector 
and one of the first vestrymen of Trinity parish. Nathaniel 
Kay and his maiden sister lived where Hartman's now 
stands. Kay Street was originally laid out as a rope-walk, 
that was owned by the Brinleys. The building was burned 
one dry, hot day in August, 1797, causing a great excite- 
ment in the town. A number of sailors vohmteered their 
help, and shouldered the long cables that were being made 
for the government use. They took the lock step, which dis- 
tributed the weight, and marched in unison down Mary 
Street to Long Wharf, where many fathoms of cable were 

45 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

safely stored. It was iu Brinley's rope-walk that the 
" cable-tow" now decorating the Masonic Hall was laid. It 
was presented to the Freemasons by one of the firm. 

The Jews' Cemetery has been the theme of many a song. 
The gates of the cemetery, presented by Judah Touro, are 
extremely handsome. The granite archway is carved with 
down-turned torches, while above the iron gates is a sphere 
upheld by outstretched wings full of symbolic meaning. 

The first building on gay Bellevue Avenue is an unpre- 
tentious wooden church, standing back modestly from the 
road, called Touro Chapel, belonging to an African Meth- 
odist congregation. Next to it is Nathaniel Kay's house, 
and opposite, at the junction of the three streets, stands 
" Hilltop," the roomy home of the late William H. Hunt, 
the celebrated New York architect. It is now used by Mrs. 
Muenchinger as an annex to her very comfortable private 
hotel, and is filled winter and summer by ultra-fashionable 
people, who have every wish and luxury studied by the 
capable landlady. The walls of the house could tell tales of 
the merry, happy family who filled the rooms and played 
such a prominent part in the social world. Mr. Hunt was a 
brilliant genius who attracted to his roof all the scientists 
who visited Newport, and was noted for his hospitality. On 
the opposite side of Church Street is an unpretentious 
frame building, the home of one of the exclusive clubs 
known as the Newport Reading-Room. Its piazzas are 
crowded during the season with young men dressed in the 
extreme of the fashion, who lounge in the easy-chairs to 
criticise and discuss all passers-by. Almost opposite is the 
Redwood Library, with its Roman-Greco portico. The steps 
■of the front are decorated with relics of the battle of Rhode 
Island. The lawn is shaded by one magnificent tree that, 
like all other things in New]3ort, sets the fashion. It is a 



BF.LLEVUE AVENUF. 

fern-leaf beech with giant bole and spreading branches, that 
is the parent of all the trees of its kind. It was the result 
of an experiment attributed to different residents of New- 
port, who grafted a fern on the stock of a beech-tree, with 
a surprising and beautiful result. The house owned b.v Mr. 
William Tompkins, of New York, on the corner of Old 
Beach Road, is one of the original of the Newport cottages. 
It was for many 3'ears occupied by Mrs. Ashhurst, a New 
Yorker, who married a Philadelphian. 

On the opposite side of the road stands the cottage of 
Mr. John N. A. Griswold. It was once the site of Charles 
Feke's pretty home, which was moved down Bellevue Ave- 
nue when Mr. Griswold built the present house about 1860. 
Mr. La^vl■ence's cottage was on the corner. After his death 
his widow, who was one of the beautiful Miss Bunkers, 
lived in Mill Street, where for many years her house was 
a pivot in the social world. 

Mr. Griswold 's lawn, that is guarded by a handsome wall 
surmounted by an orange hedge, overlooks Ne^\^^ort's an- 
cient treasure, the stone tower that has served for years 
as a fruitful theme for antiquarians, essayists, and poets. 
The spirited statue of Commodore Matthew Perry faces 
Mr. Griswold 's house. William Ellery Channing, another 
of Newport's famous sons, stands now silently represented 
in bronze where his active feet played in boyhood. 

On the site of the Atlantic House, that was used in 1861 
as the United States Naval Academy, is Miss Leary's home, 
in which the best musical parties are given at the *' after- 
noon teas" of the hostess. In 1853 a writer describes New- 
port, saying " Mr. Parrish's villa claims, with Redwood 
Library, the distinction of being Newport's chief architec- 
tural beauty." This house is now owned by Mrs. Astor. 

On Mill Street overlooking Touro Park, that was laid 
47 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

out with money given to Newport by Judah Tonro, is the 
house built before 1770 by John Tillinghast, who sold it to 
Colonel Archibald Crary, since which it has passed through 
many hands. Governor Major-General Nathaniel Greene 
lived here, where he was visited by Baron Steuben, the 
Marquis of Lafayette, Thaddeus Kosciusko, the Polish 
refugee, and other celebrities. "William C. Gibbs, governor 
of Rhode Island from 1821 to 1824, owned the place for 
many years, and was succeeded by Mr. Henry Tuckerman, 
who has left so many charming impressions of the Newport 
of his day. The place is now called Touro Manor, and is 
owned by Ex-Mayor Frederick Garretson. For about a 
quarter of a mile after passing Touro Park, Bellevue Ave- 
nue has a little business quarter of its own, and is lined with 
shojDs. The jovial butcher, Mr. Buck, sup]3lies the gourmets 
of Newport with the dainties they covet, while his daughter 
cultivates in her secluded garden the rarest of dahlias that 
make her the envy of all florists. 

The erection of the " Travers Block" marked an epoch 
in the life of Newport, for it contained shops with bachelor 
quarters above. Before it was built all the shops were kept 
by local dealers on old Thames Street, but now the show- 
windows bear names of firms from all parts of the coimtry, 
and are filled with beautiful and rare goods, not only for 
personal wear, but for decoration of houses, horses, and 
humans. The shops under the Casino are also filled with 
novelties that are displayed in Newport before they are seen 
elsewhere. The Casino is one of Newport's playgrounds, 
that contains a house for various sports within easy reach 
of the fashionable world. Over the open entrance is a large 
porch that looks like an opera-box. During the season there 
is always a group of young men lolling over its balustrade, 
from which coign of vantage they can criticise the passing 

48 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 



out with money given ' 

house built before 177- 

Colonel Archibald Crarv . ^nn 

many hands. <j( ■ ■ j )i( r ^f^i 

lived here, who; 

Marquis of Lai 

refugee, and other celchritirs 

of Rhode Tst-.-.i p, ^- -i 

manv veat- , 



by Judah Touro, is the 

llinghast, who sold it to 

•( which it has passed through 

'■ <!oneral Nathaniel Greene 

by Baron Steuben, the 

Kosciusko, the Polish 

, William C. Gibbs, governor 

♦^o 1824, owned the place for 

(I ]»y Mr. Henry Tuckerman, 



who has left .m* m;ii! • iu»i imiig impressions of the NoAvport 
of his day. The x»lace is now called Touro Manor, and is 
owned by Ex-Mayor Frederick Garretson. For about a 
quarter of a mile after passing Touro Park, Bellevue Ave- 
nue has a little business quarter of its own, and is lined vntla. 
shops. Tlie jovial bi't^'hcr-. Mr. Buck, supplies the gourmets 
of Xewpoi-t with 
cultivates in ^^rr 
make her ti' 

The -1. 
in the 
quart' 
by lo. 
windf'- 



person.'! 
himians. 



jtorcli 
is aiw 
from 



'liny covet, while his daughter 
l<i) the rarest of dahlias that 

its Block" marked an epoch 

■I tutained shops with bachelor 

' !)uilt all the shops were kept 

•'S Street, but now the show- 

* rum all parts of the country, 

tiwl rare goods, not only for 

alioii of houses, horses, and 

iie Casino are also filled with 

, ^I'ewport before they are seen 

■ of Newport's playgrounds, 

1 ,'.iiu)us sports within easy reach 

' 0\ cr the open entrance is a large 

1 box. During the season there 

. men lolling over its balustrade, 

"lage they can criticise the passing 






BELLKVUb: AVENUI-: 

throng. Once past the portals of tlie Casino, a broad lawn 
stretches to the " Horseshoe," that is sometunes crowded 
with the fashionable world and again is deserted. On the 
lawns beyond, croquet, tennis, and other games are played. 
Squash and tennis courts are provided, as -well as a ball- 
room that can easily be converted into a theatre. It was in 
this arena that Mr. Thomas Gushing and Mr. Ward McAllis- 
ter earned many laurels. The Casino was built close to the 
grounds of Mrs. Le Roy, who for many years made Newport 
her sinnmer homo, and with Mrs. Sidney Brooks, her op^io- 
site neighbor, led the fashionable world of her day. The 
site was once owned by Henry Middleton, biit Mrs. Brooks 
built a granite hoiise in 1854, the walls of w^hich were so 
thick that it received the nick-name of Sevastopol. After 
the death of Mrs. Brooks her home was purchased l)y 
James (Jordon Bennet, but is now seldom occupied. 

A few steps beyond is the high wooden paling enclosing 
Kingscote, and nearly opposite are the ruins of the second 
Ocean House, that was built about 1840, concerning which 
;Mr. Tuckerman declared that it had ' ' reduced Saratoga to 
being a hotel, while Newport was a realm." Here the gay 
people from all parts of the country congregated to enjoy 
during the sunnner niontlis cool ])rcozes and congenial so- 
ciety. The weekly dances or ho[>s at the Ocean House were 
crowded with young people, and the after-dinner promenade 
up and down the long piazza was an annising sight not easily 
forgotten. Somewhat back from Bellevue Avenue, and now 
hidden by a row of shops, stands the house that once be- 
longed to Mrs. Paran Stevens — "Auntie Paran," as she was 
mischievously called by the youngsters of her day. There 
was no more energetic hostess than Mi's. Stexcns, so, long 
after hei- handsome daughter married Mi'. Paget and went 
to London Iicr inoilicr continuetl to entertain for her own 

i 4,9 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

amusement. From the short lane called Bowery Street an 
interesting old place opens on it. It is one of a pair of 
houses built in duplicate by two friends that show the 
caprices of fashion. When they were erected Bellevue 
Avenue was a country lane leading to a farm with a gate 
closing the road to trespassers. The choice site of the two 
places was on the brow of the hill overlooking the bay, and 
it was selected by Mr. Powel for his house, and has been 
occupied continuously by his family. It marks an era, for 
there is neither gas nor electricity in it. The twin-house 
Elm Court, on Bellevue Avenue, has been repeatedly 
altered, as it has been owned by many fashionable people, 
who had it decorated according to the latest vogue. At one 
time the Duchess de Dino lived here, but for many years 
it has been owned by Mr. Frank Work, of New York. 

Next to this substantial cottage is Edna Villa, belonging 
to Mr. Samuel Barger, and built by Mr. James Gordon Ben- 
nett for his sister, Mrs. Isaac Bell, Jr., while opposite is the 
brick villa that belongs to Mrs. Le Roy King. Adjoining 
this is Mr. Prescott Lawrence's pretty residence, next to 
which is Mr. Weld's lawn, famous for the rare plants and 
beautiful shrubbery that attract the eye of the passer-by, 
while Mrs. Best's little house, on the corner of Perry Street, 
is one of the dainty cottages for which Newport is noted. 
The handsome groimds owned by Mr. Edward J. Berwind 
embrace a square from Bellevue Court to Dixon Street and 
bounded east and west by the avenue and Spring Street. 
This great house is one of the new and magnificent edifices 
lately erected. It is a beautiful specimen of architecture 
and well arranged for entertaining. The granite wall sur- 
roimding the place, with its carved ornaments, is a great 
addition to the avenue. The grounds are filled with old 
trees and new. The shrubberies, flower-beds, and gardens 

60 



BELLEVUF, AVENUE 

are so beautiful that the curious public regret vainly they 
can only peep at them through an iron grille. From the 
terrace at the back of the house there is a fine view of the 
harbor. This place was once owned by Mrs. Bruen, and 
was noted for the handsome trees that had been planted 
under the directions of a woman of taste, and these great 
elms give the name to the estate. 

The next house on Bellevue Avenue has lately been 
erected by Mr. E. R. Morse, the site once occupied by Rhua 
Cottage, owned by Mrs. Lewis Jones. The new house has 
many unique and charming features, and Mrs. Morse is one 
of the great hostesses of Newport, so it is sure to be the 
centre of gayety. Mr. Elisha Dyer's mansion has not the 
picturesque features of the original Wayside, that was 
pulled down and the acre of land that it covered thro^vn into 
Mr. Berwind's place, but Mr. Dyer's new house is more 
modern and better adapted for the entertainments for which 
he is well known. 

White Lodge adjoins Wayside, and is the house of Mr. 
Lispenard Stewart, one of New York's best-known bache- 
lors. Beside him is Chateau Nooga, better known as the 
" Chatter-box," on the corner of Narragansett Avenue, 
while on the opposite side of Bellevue are the cottages of 
Mr. Andrews, Mr. Merrill, Mrs. Woodbury Kane, and Mrs. 
Joseph Stone. Swanhurst, now occupied by Mrs. George 
Lockhart Rives, was inherited from her father, Mr. Augus- 
tus Whiting. The laurel hedge in these grounds is a lovely 
specimen of its kind. It is over twenty feet high and insures 
privacy to the house, that stands somewhat back from the 
road. Mr. Blight's cottage was built by Mr. Clement C. 
Barclay, of Philadelphia, whose hospitable door was always 
open to all comers. Nearly opposite is the villa belonging to 
Mrs. Harold Brown, close to the estate of her grandfather. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Mr. Wetinore, that is now owned by United States Senator 
George Peabody Wetmore, ex-governor of Rhode Island, 
who owns one of the largest and handsomest places on Belle- 
vue Aveinie. The grounds, which are laid out with great 
taste, are filled with rare trees, shrubs, and plants. The 
Japanese maples are probably the finest examples of their 
kind in New England. The principal entrances are on the 
avenue, but there is a unique gateway opening on Shep- 
ard Avenue, that was built by the late Mr. Wetmore, who, 
having lived for years in China, imported from there for 
his own use and pleasure many strange and interesting 
things, among others this design for a gate. The house he 
built was supplanted many years since by I^e Chateau sur 
Mer, a niodcni siructure better adapted for llic brilliant 
entei-tainnicnls given there by the hospitable ownci- and 
his bcaiiiirul wile, who was Miss Keteltas, of New York. 
On tlu^ corner ol" l^ellevue and Hazard Axcimes is the 
home of Mrs. Brown, of I'rovidence, wlii<'li connnands an 
extensive view over Almy's l*ond. 

Dainty Mayfield, in its green and white, dress, has a 
lovely lawn; its owner, Mrs. Glyn, is noted for her taste 
and charm. She is descended fi'om the celebrated Dr. Wil- 
liam Hunter, who was one of Newport's distinguished phy- 
sicians before the Revolution, whose house overlooked the 
harbor near old Fort Greene. The Bush, as Mrs. Francis 
Brockholst Cutting has namc^d her country place, is always 
gay with the peculiar pink geraniums named after General 
Gi'ant. Their novel arrangement adds to the attractiveness 
of the place. Mr. Grand-d'Haviteville's villa is only occu- 
pied by the owners on alternate seasons, his family estates 
in Switzerland claiming him at other times. 

Mrs. Gambrill's new house is a delightful reproduction 
of a celebrated French mansion, and the grounds are most 



BELLEVUE AVENUE 

attractively laid out. The villa built by Mr. Ellis has lately 
been purchased by Mr. E. R. Thomas, and faces the fine one 
erected for Mr. Storrs- Wells after a disastrous fire had 
burned his first home. The gardens of this place are charm- 
ingly laid out, but are not visible from the avenue. Mr. 
George S. Scott's colonial mansion connnands a lovely view 
over rocks and openings to Alniy Pond, and is shared l)y 
Mr. Townsend Bui'den, who owns the beautiful estate on 
the opposite side of the avenue. INIrs. J. Van Alen's house 
was for many years occupied by her mother, Mrs. Post, and 
was one of the gayest places in Newport. Only a ha-ha 
fence sci)arates it from Snug Harbor, the home of Mrs. 
Baldwin, that nestles between that and one lately purchased 
by ]Mr. Edward Cramp, of Philadelphia. The first riparian 
estate on Bellevue Avenue is By-the-Sea, owned by Mr. 
Perry Belmont, and inherited from liis father, August Bel- 
mont, the well-known banker, who was the first to intro- 
(hice (Continental fashions in democratic America. The 
l)eautiful IVfrs. lielmont was for years a cpieen of the gay 
woi-ld; her dcini irAamont, with its postilions, created a 
sensation never equalled in Newport. She was the daughter 
of Commodore Matthew Perry, and had many ties in the 
to\vn, where she is as well remembered for her charity as 
for her social success. A gap in a privet hedge is the un- 
pretentious entrance to Mrs. Herman Oelrich's marble 
house that adjoins Mr. Whitney's place. Opi)osite them 
is the home of Mrs. Havemeyer, whose husband was one 
of the most celebrated " whips" of his day. 

The estates of Mr. William Waldorf Astor and his aimt, 
Mrs. William Astor, that are on cither side of Marble 
House, are the great water-side demesnes of Newport. On 
the comer of Wheatland Avenue is the cottage belonging to 
Mr. Thayci-, of liostoii, adjoining \N'yiidhurst, wliile oppo- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

site is the new house of Mr. Knight that faces Mr. Bell's 
beautiful country-seat. Belcourt, on the corner of Lake- 
view and Bellevue Avenues, exhibits the taste inherited by 
Mr. Oliver Belmont from his father. The house is filled 
with rare and curious articles, and the library is one of the 
most beautiful rooms in Newport. 

The home of the Misses Gibert adjoins Belcourt. They 
were famous belles, but have deserted their old home that is 
next to Mr. Egerton Leigh Winthrop's. At the turn of the 
road is Mrs. Pierson's comfortable villa, Roselawn. Next 
to this is the cottage built by General Cadwalader, of Phila- 
delphia, while opposite is Inchquin. 

Mrs. Oliver Jennings has purchased the house on the cor- 
ner of the avenue and Ledge Road, next to the " Train 
Villa," that is usually occupied by Mrs. de Forest, which is 
opposite Mr. Thaw's colonial mansion, the last house on 
BeUevue Avenue. The villa of Mrs. Mills, and estate of the 
late Thomas Gushing, are bordered by the Cliff Walk, and 
share with Mr. Frederick Vanderbilt the glorious view over 
Rough Point. 










■:^» 




THE CLIFF WALK 

^?^%^1?i EWPORT ofeers to citizens and 
^f^^'i guests alike the most beautiful 
and extended walk in the coun- 
try. It stretches along the brink 
of the ocean for three miles and 
a half, twining and turning on 
top of the great ledges of rock, 
gainst which the ocean tears or 
Willi ('caselcs.s energy. The path hangs for the most 
about thirty or forty feet above the water, and cuts 
directly across the lawns of nearly fifty of the most sump- 
tuous demesnes in Newport, although it is thrown open to 
the public. 

Starting from Bath Road, the sea spreads to the left, the 
breakers roUmg into the bay formed by Ochre and Easton's 
Points to dash on the beach that bears the name of Nicholas 
Easton, one of the first settlers of Newport. Beyond the 
stretch of blue water is the long, graceful cape, on which a 
few cottages are dotted here and there. To the right of the 
path, that rises and falls as required by the irregularity 
of the cliffs, spread a succession of lawns and country 
houses that are world famous, presenting so many attractive 



NIAVPOKT: OHK SOCIAL CAIMTAL 

features that tliey are not only difficnilt to ])(>iiit out, but it 
is hazardous to make invidious comparisons. 

Tliis famous walk was first merely a fisherman's track, 
and when the land-owners attempted to close it to the public 
in order to insure privacy for themselves they found it was 
under protection, for the ear-ly law-givers had provided that 
tlic toilers ol" the sea should liavc access to it at all times 
and seasons. 

But tlie ciiy concerns itself little with the Cliir Walk, 
since its fatherly interest stops with the protection of fishing- 
privileg(\s, and the govermnent leaves the path to be ruined 
at the pleasure of the elements. At one time the property- 
owners w(>re so annoyed at the trespassers that they were 
allowed lo scramble over the rocks, but no facilities were 
offered to Ihem. By degrees one after another of the rich 
proprietors accepted the inevitable and determined to make 
the ])ath on his own plac(! safe and serviceable, and now 
it is a hroad foot-way which is kepi in beanliful oi'der by 
indixidiials as it runs through their properties. 

in sonic i)laces teri'aces overhang the path that shield 
the houses from view ; at others it is sunk under the bluff or 
bridges ai'c thrown across the rocks, leading the walk far 
from the houses. At Mrs. Astor's place a brick wall shuts 
oft' any view of the house, but this is covered with vines so 
the i)edestrian hardly realizes that he is sluit in. This may 
perhaps seem churlish on the part of the rich proprietors to 
try as they do to exclude the public from access to their 
grounds, but they could tell many tales of the annoyances 
they have received from trespassers. At one place where 
the lawn slopes to the Cliff Walk it is no unusual thing for 
people to wallv np to the house, sit on the piazza, or even 
enter the rooms. In some cases small objects of value were 
appropriated by people who were nt)t thieves, but who 



THE CLIFF WALK 

wanted reminiscences of Newport, and who took what they 
saw as cahnly as they would have picked up shells on the 
beacli. 

At Marble House excursionists would lie flat on the 
ground to peep under the protecting grille of iron-work, or 
sometimes they have torn away handfuls of vines to have a 
better view of the occupants of the house. These and many 
other incidents have been borne good-naturedly by the cot- 
tagers, who, however, have protected their privacy by ex- 
cluding the i)ublic whenever it was possible. 

As the Olife Walk leaves Bath Road it passes in front of 
Mr. Winthrop Chanler's beautiful home, that was one of the 
first to ))e placed in this conunanding jjosition. There is 
now a modernized house on the place, and it was here tliat 
President Roosevelt, in 1902, stood godfather to Mr. (!han- 
ler's youngest child. The celebrated novelist Marion Craw- 
ford is a fre(|uent visitoi" to his brother-in-law. Tlie older 
house, tliat stands Ix-liind the ])r('S('iit one, was built l)y 
Robert Johnston, a Scotchman, who had the interests of his 
adopted town at heart. He it was who cut the straight road 
across the hill from Thames Street to Easton's lunu-li, call- 
ing it Batli Road. Before that day the approach to tlic 
shore was via Old Beach Road, where the hill was steep and 
dangerous, Mr. John.ston purchased part of the Easton 
fann, and his house was Lord Percjy's head-quarters. The 
grounds were once i>lanted with beautiful sycamores, that 
were killed by the blight that destroyed those trees all over 
the country about 1830. It is claimed that Mr. Johnston 
was the first to graft a fern on a beach, producing the beau- 
tiful cut-leafed beach, the most unicpie specimen of which 
shadows the lawn before the Redwood Library. His estate 
was cut into three portions, that were owned by Mr. Peter- 
son, Mr. Chanler, and Mrs. Woodworth. The grounds of 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

the Cliff House come next to Mr, Chanler's. This is one of 
the most beautiful situations in Newport, and strangers 
staying there have all the advantages open to the most 
exclusive of the private demesnes on the Cliff Walk. The 
cottages connected with the hotel have belonged to different 
well-known persons, among them being Mrs. Herman 
Livingston. 

As the walk winds along the beautiful lawns in front of 
Mrs. Slater, Mrs. Safe, and the north and south houses of 
the Messrs. Gammell, of Providence, one realizes how boun- 
tifully both nature and art have combined to make this 
quarter of a mile a delightful i^romenade. The walk is cut 
in two by Narragansett Avenue, where a platform hangs 
over the cliff and a stairway leads to the rocks that are 
always slippery with sea-weeds or water. This spot is 
known as the " Forty Steps." A surefooted fisherman can 
get a foothold in the crevices of the crags, but the place has 
been the scene of more than one tragedy, as several per- 
sons have lost their balance and fallen into the sea, only to 
be swept instantly to destruction, for even an accustomed 
swimmer can seldom be saved. It was here that a grandson 
of Commodore Perry lost his life. 

Cliff Walk crosses Narragansett Avenue and skirts the 
borders of Mrs. Robert Goelet's beautiful estate. The path 
is sunk below the level of the cliff. The rocks are partly 
covered with vetchi and euonymus, the vine that thrives so 
remarkably on the edge of the ocean, its evergreen leaves 
keeping their color during the most severe winters. The 
magnificent palace built by Mr. Ogden Goelet is almost hid- 
den from the walk, although peeps of it may be obtained as 
the path winds in and out of the rocks. Mr. Pendleton's 
cosey cottage nestles between Mrs. Goelet's palace and Vin- 
land, now owned by Mr. Hamilton Twombly. 



THE CLIFF WALK 

The bovmdaries of the old Ochre Point demesne begin 
about here. Governor Lawrence gave a slice of his land to 
Mr. Pendleton so he should always have his friend as a near 
neighbor. As the walk passes beneath the terraces of the 
Breakers, the home of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, a good 
view of the famous house is obtained. The sea view is en- 
trancing. Two bold headlands point into the ocean, and 
over both of them the waves dash so madly as to earn for 
the place its name. 

On September 5, 1902, an interesting mimic war took 
place at Xewport between the troops stationed at Fort 
Adams and the White Squadron. Several of the war- vessels 
ran in close to the Breakers, and the " Puritan," " Massa- 
chusetts," and " Indiana" pretended to bombard the homes 
of the magnates of the land. Had the guns been shotted, the 
places would have been ruined, as no defence was possible. 
Mr. Frederick Pearson's place lies to the south of the 
Breakers, and here the Cliff Walk takes a sharp turn to the 
west, skirting Ochre Point, which is one of the southern 
capes of Aquidneck. 

Mr. Drexel has laid out the walk most artistically as it 
skirts his beautiful property, which recalls memories of 
Mr. Fainnan Rogers, of Philadelphia, to whose taste in 
landscape gardening Newport owes so much. At the time 
when carpet-beds of flowers first became fashionable Mr. 
Rogers threw a magnificent Persian rug on the lawn, order- 
ing his gardener to follow the lines of its pattern and copy 
the colors when laying out the bed before the house. Mr. 
Rogers's yacht " Magnolia" and his famous brake with 
four horses that he tooled with such skill make his numer- 
ous tastes and talents recalled by all his friends. Over the 
walk hangs " Midcliff," exciting many envious glances to- 
ward Miss Jones's chai-ming home, that conunands such a 

£9 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

giorioiis view of Father Nei^tune. The picturesque villa 
occupied by Mr. George Collord seems as if it " clung like 
a limpet to the rock." 

Very little of Mr. Woodward's house can be seen from 
the Cliff Walk, which is almost a pity, for it is one of the 
most ornate villas in Newport. The owner is famed for the 
magnificent collection of bric-a-brac and china that he has 
inherited or gathered from all parts of the world. 

Marine Avenue, skirting Mrs. James Kernochan's and 
Mr. Perry Belmont's places, joins Cliff Walk to Bellevue 
Avenue at this point. The place of the former well earns its 
name of Sea-View, for the windows command a most varied 
and extensive prospect over land and wave. Mrs. Ker- 
noehan has changed and embellished her house so it would 
scarcely be recognized by the original owners, Mr. and 
Mrs. Peterson, of Philadelphia, so when their niece, Mrs. 
George Washington Childs, lately visited Newport she was 
surprised to see the alterations in her father's old home. 

At this part of the Cliff Walk the pedestrian not only 
enjoys the ocean view, but, looking landward, catches a 
glimpse of Mr. Jolm Thompson Spencer's colonial house 
standing on an eminence on Ruggles Avenue, secure of pri- 
vacy but enjoying a lovely view. It was here that Mrs. 
Spencer entertained the Comte de Turin, who was at the 
time heir to the throne of Ital)^ This visit made a great 
impression on the Newport people, and the house is pointed 
out to excursionists as the one in which " the prince stayed." 
The owners of By-the-Sea have always kindly considered 
the comfort of the puljlic, gaining its gratitude, for the 
Cliff Walk in front of Mr. Belmont's place has invariably 
been preserved with care, in spite of the inroads made on 
the bank during the winter storms. 

Lovely groups of rare roses no more greet the passer-])y 



THE CLIFF WALK 

on reaching Mr. Bancroft's old place. It was the ]>ri(le 
and pleasure of the noted historian to earn for his i-ose- 
garden an eqnal fame with those his histories gleaned for 
him. I'he roses imported or home hred were remarkable 
for num])er and variety, which throve close to Die edge of 
the ocean, as Mr. Bancroft coaxed them to acknowledge that 
the sea air was as good for their health and complexions as 
it was for that of delicate women, and once having snbmitted 
to his powerfnl will, the roses throve and bloomed as they 
did in no other parterre in the conntry. Since Mrs. Ocl- 
riclis has built her beantiful white palace on the site of 
^Ir. Bancroft's house, the character of the place has l)cen 
comi)letely changed. Art has replaced nature, l^nt it is an 
art that is ])ci-r(>ct of lis kind, that has iriumplied over 
almost insurmouniable obstacles. 

As llic walk dips and curves undei- the slo])ing lawns (»f 
Mi's. Harry I'ayue ^^'llitlle)■'s ])lace, it would take a sharp 
obsci'vei- to discover tlie studio that the mistress of tlu; liouse 
has had built close to the waves. In it she can study or work 
sure of privacy and free to enjoy the beantiful view spread 
before her. 

The old home of Mi-s. dolni dncob Astxu- overhangs the 
cliff walk witli its balustrades and gardens. Beanlieu 
auished mistress who once cast the 
ircscnce over tin's enchanting ])lace, 
I cl('\('r and amusing neighl)or, Mrs. 
d the l)eaux and belles of Newjxu-t 
CiitT Walk turns round a small cape hardly 
worthy of a name, l)ut which gives point to the grounds of 
Marble House as it juts into the sea at this place, while the 
path presses close to the oNci-hanging terrace. The bank at 
this spot is covered with dandelions, the little flowers grow- 
ing so thickly that the terrace is a solid mass of yellow disks, 

61 



seems to pii 


le foi- its 


spell of her 


gi'ncious 


where she ai 


1(1 her ni. 


A.[uilla Stoi 


lit. gather 


about them. 


CiitT \V 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

looking as if the sun-god had touched the bare rocks with 
his golden finger, making it reflect his own radiant face. 
Even Midas could not have created this wonderful wild 
flower-garden, for dandelions grow where they please, but 
do not obey the bid of art. Beechwood, with its beautifully 
cultivated lawn, hangs over the walk. The quantities of 
great aloes in tubs stationed close about the house give a 
character particularly their own to Mrs. Astor's groimds. 
The greenliouses on this place have always been famous for 
delicious grapes, the vines having been imported by M. de 
Barrada, who once owned Beechwood. Ever since Mr. Par- 
rish built the house it has been spoken of as one of New- 
port's show places. The little bay imder Mr. Robert 
Carson's place is called Sheep-Cove from the fancied resem- 
blance of the rocks beyond to the head of an old ram. One 
of the first owners of this spot was Don Antonio de Yznaga, 
the father of Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester, where her 
childhood days were passed. It seems strange that three 
of the reigning English duchesses should have lived on the 
Cliff Walk. Besides the Duchess of Manchester, is the 
Duchess of Marlborough, born. Miss Consuelo Vanderbilt, 
and the Duchess of Roxburghe, born Miss Goelet. Mr. 
Yznaga sold his place to Mr. Harry Ingersoll, of Philadel- 
phia, who, with his charming wife, made their coterie the 
social centre of America between 1860 and 1880. 

At Mrs. Victor Sorchon's place the Cliff Walk follows 
the brow of the hill, so a good view of her house and that of 
Mr. Green can be had, but the path dips suddenly before 
Mr. Bell's beautiful grounds, staying near the water level 
as it passes before those of Mr. Mills and Mr. Cushing, untU 
it reaches the most romantic and picturesque part of the 
three-mile walk. 

The telephone was first habitually used by the fashion- 



THE CLIFF WALK 

able people of NewiJort. A story was told at the time that 
caused much amusement. A gay dame called up a friend 
to invite him to dinner. He answered the bell that was 
in his bath-room. Then, recognizing the voice, called, in 
dismay, " (3h! don't look. I was in my tub. Please wait 
till I put on my dressing-gown." Just as if hearing were 
seeing. 

At Rough Point the sea has beaten into the land with 
such fury that it has cut it sharply back in many places, 
leaving the old bones of the island bare in spots. A clever 
landscape gardener has taken advantage of the bold out- 
lines thrown by nature's artist hand, and has made the 
Avalk wind and twist among the boulders, dipping under 
an arch of rock work, making one of the most attractive 
features of this noteworthy promenade as it skirts Mr. 
Frederick Vanderbilt's grounds. Here the waters dash 
wildly, as if emulating the celebrated Spouting Horn that 
faces this cliff, lending such beauty to the foregroimd of 
Mr. Henry Clews 's view on the opposite side of Cogge- 
shall's Ledge, that separates the two capes. 

Perhaps the Cliff Walli is swept by no more bracing air 
than that which passes across it as it goes under Mr. El- 
bridge Gerry's place, so appropriately named Sea Verge. 
The walk curves and twists, then stretches before the 
groimds of Rockhurst, that show the gardener's skill and 
the cultivated taste of its mistress, Mrs. Brooks. As the 
path rounds " Land's End," under Mr. Livingston Beek- 
man's lovely cottage, the ocean takes on a new aspect. From 
this point it seems to change color and be black in strong 
contrast to the glistening white foam breaking over Cogge- 
shall's Ledge, that here defies old Neptune, yet seems to 
hold out tempting hands to sea-njTnphs, inviting them to 
climb and play on its weed-covered crags. At one time tliis 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

was the favorite haunt of seals that slipped or slid over 
the barnacle-covered rocks, frightening the smiple-minded 
fishermen, who fancied the soft-coated creatures were mer- 
maids indeed. 

Under Governor Lippitt's great red brick palace the 
Cliff Walk becomes wild and picturesque in the extreme, 
and looking westward from beneath Mrs. Richardson's 
place there is another magnificent view of Spouting Horn. 
The red rocks of Gooseberry Island in the distance contrast 
well with the white breakers that fight it on all sides, while 
far in the distance Price's Neck stands out boldly. 

GIBBS AVENUE 

Practically the Cliff Walk ends at Bailey's beach, the 
favorite bathing beach of the fashionable world. It is one 
of Newport's puzzling peculiarities that a street, road, or 
avenue generally changes its name three or four times in 
the course of a mile. This is notably the ease with the ave- 
nue bearing the name of the governor of Rhode Island in 
1826. Gibbs Avenue starts from Bliss Road, runs south for 
a mile to Bath Road, which leads to Easton's beach, Avhere 
the name is suddenly merged into another. But on Gibbs 
Avenue are a dozen modern cottages that are as generally 
occupied in winter as in summer. 

Professor Pumpelly and Mr. A. B. Enmions are side 
by side. It was Mr. Parish's house, the father of Mrs. 
Emmons, that was long pointed out as the most beautiful 
villa in Newport. 

The home of the great scientist, Professor Wolcott 
Gibbs, shares with its neighbors the extensive view over 
Easton's Pond, which during the winter is often covered 
with skaters. In these gardens the first spring flowers 
appear, notwithstanding its proxunitj^ to the ocean. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

was the faA'orite haunt of seals that slipped or slid over 
ihf iiarjiacle-covered rocks, frightening the simple-minded 
ho fancied the soft-coated creatures were mer- 
A. 

■ ovemor I,ippitt's great red brick palace the 

becomes wild and picturesque in the extreme, 

1^ westwai-d from ))enoath Mrs. Richardson's 

here is another magnifi'-i*ut riew of Spouting Horn. 

!>,!'■ red rocks of Gooseberry f- land in the distance contrast 

well with the wliite breakers i l.at tight it on all sides, while 

far in the disiance Price's N'-'-k stands out boldly. 

GIBBS AVENUE 

Practically the Cliff Walk ends at Bailey's beach, the 
favorite bathing beach of tho fashionable world. It is one 
of Newport's puzzling peculiarities that a street, road, or 
avenue generally changes it}= name three or four times in 
the course of a mile. This is lioiably the case with the ave- 
nue bearing the name of th( ;: )^ ernor of Rhode Island in 
1826. Gibbs Avenue start- ir< .i>i Bliss Road, runs south for 
a mile to Bath Road, whirl riaston's beach, where 

the name is suddenly mere *iier. But on Gibbs 

Avenue are a dozen modeii it are as generally 

occupied in winter as in sun 

Professor PumpeUy an( > side 

by side. It was Mr. Paris; .f Mrs. 

Emmons, that w^as long poii "sr beautiful 

y'\U.3L in Newport. 

The home of the great 'rofessor Wolcott 

Oibbs, shares with its neighbi , extensive view over 

Easton's Pond, which during the winter is often covered 
with skaters. In these gardens tiie first spring floAvers 
a]>pear, notwithstanding its proximity to the ocean 
u 



THK CLIFJ" WALK 

In front of jVfrs. Enstis's cottage is a venerable and 
cherished tree shadowing and protecting the honse regard- 
less of the east winds that sweep directly from Hon}anan's 
Hill and Paradise. 

IVIrs. Sanuiel Powel shares the wind as well as the views 
of her neighbor Mr. Swan, who is on the corner of Buena 
Vista Street, while Major Theodore Gibbs's handsome 
house and beautiful la-mas sweep nearly to the edge of the 
pond. These grounds are celebrated for the high state of 
cultivation they ha^'e been brought into under the scientific 
guidance of their mistress, who is a noted botanist and nat- 
uralist, having made some original researches that are very 
remarkable. 

Mrs. Rogers's beautiful country place is only separated 
from Bethshan by a low fence, while on the opposite side 
of the road is Miss Ellen Mason's beautiful home, the en- 
trance to which is on Love Lane. This place was laid out 
about 1850, and the grounds and gardens show the exqui- 
site taste of the owners. As it crosses Bath Road the ave- 
nue changes its name to Cliff, on the corner of which is Dr. 
Richard V. Mattison's Bushy Park, one of the pioneer 
places in modern Newport. It was planned by Mr. de 
Lancey Kane, who brought his bride. Miss Astor, to this 
])eautiful spot, that at the time was bleak and bare, but is 
now covered with a forest that rivals the sycamore grove 
that originally covered Mr. Winthrop Chanler's historic 
place. 

The Cliff House is on this avenue. It is a favorite 
summer hotel overlooking the ocean and in the centre of 
the fashionable world. The view from this spot is incom- 
parable. Easton's beach stretches to the northward, and 
on its shining hard sand groups of chattering children 
dance in the sunlight. Hardy bathers venture into old 

5 65 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

ocean's embraces but half clad, and shivering men with great 
boots reaching to the hips wade into the surf to dig for 
(piahaugs, or clams. Farmer lads ride rebellious horses into 
the waves, dragging long rakes that snare streamers of red 
sea-weed, to drag it ashore to use it for fertilizing their 
fields. The gay panorama moves and changes incessantly, 
and is constantly augmented by the crowds of excursionists 
who flock to the famous beach to enjoy the bathing or the 
clam-bakes on the shore, where " genuine Rhode Island 
chowder is served fresh every hour." It is here that the 
sun-worship takes place on Easter morning which is so re- 
markable in the place devoted to amusement and fashion. 
Across the bay the green rocks of Easton's Point frown on 
the encroaching water. But the most fascinating part of 
the view is the swell of the ocean as it races toward the 
beach. The long rollers begin to heave at Ochre Point, and 
from its rugged sides the water in seried ranks rushes on- 
ward to break in long combing waves on the smooth sand. 
If the wind sets from the north it blows the spray back- 
ward to make what children call " sea horses" with wildly 
flying manes. Every seventh wave seems to be larger and 
stronger than its fellows. It rolls more steadily and ma- 
jestically, it curls with greater dignity, and seems to wait 
an instant longer than its fellows before plunging on the 
sand with loud roars of defiance. Directly beneath the 
cliff the water dashes against the rocks, throwing spray 
high in the air, so that the view from the cliff at Sea View 
Avenue presents more variety than any other point in 
Newport. 

On the west side of Cliff Avenue, on the corner of Merton 
Street, is the cosey cottage of Mr. James Parker, the weU- 
loiown club and society man, while Mrs. Slater's beautifvil 
country-seat is directly on the ocean, adjoining Mr. William 



THE CLIFF WALK 

Gamuioll, IVlrs. Sliaw Safe, and M\: Iv. S. Oaiimicll. (hi I his 
corner Mr. Frank K. Sturgis has lately built a new house. 
His exquisite taste has been displayed in every detail. Ijike 
several other Newport land-owners, Mr. Sturgis has a liomc 
in New York, a charming house at Lenox called Clipston 
Grange, after the home of his English ancestors, and has 
a farm three miles out of town, not far from Oakland, the 
home of Mr. Alfred Vanderbilt, which he inherited from 
his father, the late Cornelius Vanderbilt, who purchased 
•it from the estate of August Belmont. 

Cliff Road turns sharply to the west, to end abruptly 
in the Annandale Road, on which is the entrance of the 
ancestral home of Mr. Daniel B. Fearing, ex-mayor of 
Newport. This comfortable and handsome house Avas 
owned by the grandfather of Mr. Fearing. It contains a 
very valuable collection of books, as Mr. Fearing is a lover 
of rare editions and rich bindings as well as of all kinds 
of sports. The house is almost a museimi, as it is crowded 
with curiosities brought from all countries by generations 
of travellers, but particularly by the mayor himself, who 
is alert to enrich his collection. The attractive demesne 
of Mr. Henry A. C. Taylor is only separated from that of 
his nephew^ Mr. Fearing, by a magnificent hedge, and 
connects with that of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Frederick 
Sheldon, whidi is on the corner of Annandale Road and 
Narragansett Avemic, directly opposite the famed Pinard 
cottages, where tired housewives may live in luxury secure 
of the seclusion of home, with a well-appointed household 
and '' no ti'()ul)le l)eyond paying tlie ])ills." And here 
ends this strange and crooked thoroughfare, with its sharp 
corners and varied names, out of which open many of 
the most fashiona])Ie and attractive of New|)ort's summer 
homes. 

67 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

PARADISE AND PURGATORY 

Certainly the first settlers of Newport deserve credit for 
the names they bestowed on the salient features of the pic- 
turesque country in which they lived. Indian names were 
frequently retained that fall pleasantly on the ear, but in 
many cases descriptive words were used that are attractive 
and representative. It is true they abandoned the Indian 
title for their Isle of Peace, exchanging Aquidneck for 
Rhode Island, but it is said this was done in memory of 
the beautiful spot in the Mediterranean Sea, although when 
the religious settlers of Rhode Island could have visited the 
Isle of Rhodes is not stated. Nor did they invariably use 
this title, for in many original documents it is referred to 
as the Red Island, while several writers state that the name 
was bestowed by the early Dutch navigators, who called it 
Roode Eyelandt. Be this as it may, Sachuest beach. Ochre 
Point, Cormorant and Gull Rocks, Rough Point, Spouting 
Horn, Prudence, Patience, and Rose Islands, with Paradise 
and Purgatory, show the imaginative powers or quaint 
thoughts of the men of the seventeenth century. 

Paradise conjures exciting expectations that are well 
fulfilled by the lovely spot, while Purgatory gives a fore- 
taste of the horrors awaiting a sinner, for the feet seem only 
treading on a grassy lawn, with no forecast of the rift in 
the treacherous rock beneath, where the chasm yawns un- 
expectedly beneath the transgressor, who escapes as he may. 
Purgatory is part of the steep bluff of gray rocks south of 
Sachuest beach. The rock is cleft in two by a crack one 
hundred and sixty feet long and eight to fourteen feet 
wide at the top, varying in width at the bottom from two to 
twenty-four feet. The water swirls madly roimd the rocks 
at the base, and is over ten feet deep even at low tide. The 



THE CLIl'F WALK 

bluff at this spot is fifty feet high, and has other fissures, 
but none of them are as broad as the main one called the 
Devil's Chasm. There is, of course, a legend attached to 
the spot, and several accovmts of hair-breadth escapades. 
The Indians declared that at this uncanny place the devil 
threw a squaw into the sea for murdering her rival. The 
hoof-prints of his Satanic Majesty can be traced on the sides 
of the cliff by those venturesome enough to peer f I'om the 
brink to the water below. These were made by the re- 
pentant devil, who clambered down the steep sides to rescue 
the maiden he regretted liaving punished. Her blood still 
stains the face of the cliff and shows where her mutilated 
body struck as she fell on the rasping edges of the rock. 

It is said that two sweethearts once wandered to Pur- 
gatoi-y, when the girl dared her lover to leap the chasm. 
This he did, then turned to make her a low bow and walk 
away never to speak to her again, for he was so angry that 
she should demand sueli a rash act on his part that it de- 
stroyed his affection for her. 

The boys of the town have at all times explored the place, 
and William EUery Channing crept or slid down the em- 
bankment to the opening of the gulf, then swam to the 
mouth, and, returning safely, reclimbed the cliff. Mr. 
Meriam, one of the staid ministers of Trinity Church, was 
dared to leap over Purgatory. He did so, but lost his hat, 
and when again dared to clunb down the rocks to recover 
it, he declared lie would leave that feat to younger and 
better men. On this lonely spot is a small white cenotaph 
commemorating the accidental death of Archibald Gracie 
Lawrence, son of Governor Beach Lawrence. The boy 
was killed by the discharge of liis gun when trying to leap 
the rift in the rocks. His body was i)hiced in Trinity 
church-vard beside liis moilici-. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

During the Revolutionary War, as well as that of 1812, 
beacons were set on Purgatory and a watch kept for the 
enemy's vessels, from which many timely warnings were 
sent. 

Paradise Aveiuie leads from Hon^anan Hill due south to 
Sachuest beach. The hill takes its name from the first rector 
of Trinity Church, who had a country-seat here. The view 
from the head of the road is triily charming. To the east 
are the quiet waters of Seaconnet River, the east passage 
of Narragansett Bay. The Indians called the black goose 
that once visited these waters Seekonk, and it is supposed 
the name of the river is derived from this. To the west are 
glimpses of the Newport palaces seen over broad, well cul- 
tivated fields dotted with homely white farm-houses. On 
the sunmiit the American ai"my gathered under Lafayette 
to repulse the British. Remains of the redoubts are still 
visible, and cannon-balls have frequently been ploughed up 
when tilling the fields. 

Bishop Berkeley's residence. White Hall, is close at 
hand, but is half hidden in an apple-orchard whose rough 
boles and gnarled, lichen-covered branches betray their 
age. 

The Hanging Rocks, or Negro's Head, that overlook 
Sachuest beach are picturesque objects in the foreground, 
while the waves lashing the rocks of Purgatory, throwing 
their white spray almost to the top of the cliff, complete the 
panorama that is as full of startling contrasts as any in the 
country. On the Hanging Rocks is a niche called Bishop 
Berkeley's Chair. The point that juts over the road bears 
a forcible and strange resemblance to an ancient dame who 
lived for many years in Newjiort. It is seen to the best 
advantage from Indian Avenue and Third Beach Road 
when facing westward. 

70 



THE CLIFF WALK 

The eastern ])ouiKlary of the beach is formed l)y Sachu- 
est Point, wliich is the extreme southeastern end of A(|uid- 
neck Island. The river is a famous fishing-place. Here 
bass, mackerel, tautog, etc., aboiuid. The last is a game fish 
sometunes called " white chin." Enormous flounders are 
occasionally caught off Ilobson's Hole, and after a severe 
storm Sachuest beach has l)een covered witli dead bodies of 
hideous sea monsters that make it an unpleasant resort. 
Quantities of alga? fill the bay, at times making the water 
look red, and during the season the farmers collect it to fer- 
tilize their field by driving their horses into the surf and 
dragging the sea-weed ashore Ijy means of great rakes fash- 
ioned like hay-tedders. 



T"Ti^^'^JdFf# ^"^^ ■ 




Bleak Hous« 



THE OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR 
ROADS 

F all the beautiful drives in Amer- 
ica, the one in Newport that extends 
fi'om Bailey's beach to Castle Hill, 
known as Ocean Avenue, ranks in 
a foremost position. The fashion- 
alile afternoon route for the grand 
parade is from Belle vue Avenue to 
the Ridge Road via the ocean, and at the hour decreed by 
Mme. Vogue the road is filled with electric motors, auto- 
mobiles, carriages, drags, brakes, and many other vehicles. 
On one side of the drive lies the ocean in one of its ever 
varying moods, on the other there are lovely lichen-covered 
rocks, between which, in the scanty soil, eglantine, whortle- 
berries, and other shrubs grow in wild profusion. Early in 
the spring saxifrage nestles in every nook, while tall irises 
nod their purple heads amid the Hag-loaves and cat-tails of 
the adjoining marshes. When the wild roses are blooming 
the edges of the road are gay with their pink blossoms, that 
give place to the red berries that hang on the bushes through 
the most rigorous winter weather, and with the bronzed 
green of the few clinging leaves make touches of color even 
in the gray days of February. There are few trees on these 
bleak rocks, for they were destroyed by the British when 

73 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

occupying the islands, and the forests have never been re- 
planted. Although the ocean drive skirts the southern and 
most exposed portion of Aquidneck, the snow seldom lingers 
there. The rocks are not covered with piles of ice or con- 
cealed l)y a glaze of frozen spray that makes Niagara and 
fresh water streams so beautiful when touched by the icy 
fingers of the Frost King, for the ocean tempers the air, and 
few vestiges of winter are seen on its edge except during 
the most rigorous weather. 

The wild scenery through which the drive passes offers 
a striking contrast to the extreme of civilization bordering 
Bellevue Avenue, that is all the more surprising from the 
sudden transition, for it is but the turn of a corner and 
ostentatious luxury is dropj^ed as if by magic to be suc- 
ceeded by nature in all its most rugged forms, and yet Lily 
Pond, once passed, the boundaries of the great Hammer- 
smith demesne are entered, that was settled as a gentle- 
man's private estate in the seventeenth century, and at 
that time was brought partly under cultivation, but after 
the death of the owner the place returned to its original 
wild state. Now the country j)laces that open on Ocean 
Avenue are with excellent taste made to harmonize with 
their surroundings, and even when a long procession of car- 
riages pass quickly along the drive they add to but do not 
detract from the beauty of the scene, for the road winds 
in and out, round and beneath the overhanging cliffs, look- 
ing like a monstrous serpent writhing with glittering scales 
in its wonted haunts. 

Ocean Avenue begins by passing the pretty lawn of the 
Bailey's Beach Bathing Association. The picturesque club- 
and bath-houses are crowded during the summer months 
with the flower of the smart set. During the morning the 
sands are covered witli maids and children who splash the 

74 



THE OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR ROADS 

water aud make sand castles, wliile the air resounds with 
merry cries and laughter. Young men, maids, and matrons 
equipped for a swim roam about the beach or loll under the 
shade of the outspread a^vnings. Sometimes a frolicksome 
matron gives a lunch or a tea on the beach, and then it is a 
droll sight to watch the bathers in their scanty dress being 
served by footmen tightly buttoned in the smartest of trun 
liveries. These festivities are sometimes held by the light 
of the moon, which adds greatly to the wierd effect. 

During the morning hours the excursionists peer over 
the low wall guarding the entrance to Bailey's beach, anx- 
ious to see all they can of the merry army amusing itself in 
or beside the water, when the comments of the onlookers 
would furnish good copy for a comic paper. 

Almy's Pond lies to the right of the avenue. During 
the winter, when the ice bears, it is covered with skaters, 
but in summer not even a boat disturbs its placid waters. 

The most prominent feature to the left is Mr. Henry 
Clews 's picturesque residence called The Rocks. This 
charming spot was owned by General Robert B. Potter, 
brother of the bishop of New York. It is one of the most 
commanding residences in Newport, the view to the east 
being across Bailey's beach to Coggeshall's Ledge, now 
crowned by Governor Lippitt's Elizabethan castle and the 
chalets of Mrs. Richardson and Mr. Clarence Dolan. Di- 
rectly beneath The Rocks is the spot famed in song and 
story, the Spouting Horn. After a severe storm from the 
southeast the water rushes into a cavern and then, dashing 
against the crags, throws the spray high in the air. 

" Old spouting rock, eager the gladness to share, 
A festive white spray-wreath flings high in the air; 
And the spirits imprisoned below in his den 
(irowl back a gruff greeting in thunder again." 
75 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

From Mr. Clews 's piazza there is a magnificent view of 
the ocean, while Gooseberry Island lies to the southwest. It 
is occupied by a private club, said to be the most expensive 
and exclusive in the country. On the island is the club- 
house, which is the theatre of many merry parties, where 
madcap freaks may be safely indulged in safe from prying 
eyes that see and report aU gay doings in Newport. From 
time to time buttons, pieces of silver such as spoons and 
forks of ancient pattern, Spanish and French coins, are 
dug up on the shores, to be treasured with other curiosities 
in the museum. Off the red rocks there is capital fishing, 
and from them the rubber-clad fishermen may often be seen 
casting their lines. 

As the road winds up the hill bordering Almy's Pond, 
an open gate leads to The Ledges, the home of Mr. B. M. 
Gushing. This lovely spot shares with Seafield, the adjoin- 
ing property, a glorious view of Beacon Hill and Lily Pond, 
while the ocean dashes its spray against the windows of 
the house. 

Mr, William Starr Miller has placed his new house on a 
coimnandiiig site, so high above those of his neighbors that 
he completely overtops them. At his feet lie Ahny's Pond 
and the Spouting Horn, while Gherry Neck on one hand 
and Coggeshall's Ledge on the other are easily seen. Along 
Mr. Miller's place runs the Jeffrey Road, leading through 
wild marshes into Garroll Avenue. 

At the corner of Ocean Avenue and this road stands on 
a prominence the large white colonial mansion built by Mr. 
Stuyvesant Fish that has been named " Grossways." This 
place is the centre of gayety during the season, its mistress 
being one of the most ingenious hostesses of Newport, and 
the smart set are always attracted and amused by the novel 
entertainments for which she is noted. 



THK OCKAN DRIVK AND KINI)Ki:i) SPUR ROADS 

In strange and startling contrast to the Crossways is 
the mansion occupied by Mrs. Hazard that has been in- 
herited from generations of Newport ancestors. It is se- 
cluded behind a tall stone wall so the house cannot be seen 
from the road. It has a niystei-ious chai'iu, and recalls the 
forest concealing the Sleeping 13eauty in the wood. Mr. 
Hazard has been dead for many years, but he bequeathed a 
large part of Rocky Farm to the Newport Hospital. 
When he did this it seemed as if a slice of Greenland would 
have been more remunerative. But the trustees of the hos- 
pital realized that Newport was the playground of million- 
aires, so they joined with other land-owners in cutthig H\mv 
roads to connect Ocean Avenue with drives on the harbor 
side of the island. These roads cross Beacon Hill to wan- 
der through woodlands and marshes, and in this way they 
bring desirable building sites within toucli of the New- 
port thoroughfares. As large areas of land are from time 
to time sold, the funds of the hospital iwv, increased and 
much good is done through the generosity of John Alfred 
Hazard, whose ancestors were among the founders of the 
Queen City by the Sea. 

Ocean Avenue affords many changing scen(^s. At one 
time it climbs a hill, at another dips into a marsh that would 
be impassable were it not for a well-engineered causeway 
bridging the foot of liily Pond, which is noted for the perch 
that are caught there. Thei-e is also good crabbing near the 
outlet. The scene here is wild and desolate. During the 
nesting season countless gulls hover over the inland waters, 
and geese always rest on the rocks to break their northward 
flight in spring. The loneliness of the view is altered after 
passing Lily Pond by the new villa belonging to Mrs. Pome- 
roy, half a mile from Crossways, that is such an important 
feature as it crowns the hill to the eastward. The pictu- 

TT 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

resque carriage and lodge-keeper's houses belonging to the 
Gooseberry Island Club are the next buildings passed on the 
road. From the landing stage gay parties embark for the 
isolated club. 

Beyond this spot Cherry Neck points southward. Its 
grand red rocks are abandoned to lonely beauty. It seems 
incredible that it should dei'ive its name from the orchard 
of cherry-trees that were planted here by the owner of the 
great Hammersmith place. It is a beautiful building site, 
and when again mider cultivation it will become the most 
magnificent of all the country-seats here. 

As the ocean drive crosses a small arm of the sea, the 
herring traps of the fishermen attract attention. Great 
hauls are taken here during the season. To the left is an 
oddly shaped little cape named Goose-Neck, which is 
crowned by the cottages of the Messrs. Borden. Their sail- 
boats lie in the cove beneath their feet, ready to sail at a 
moment's notice. 

At this part of Ocean Avenue the best view is obtained 
of the procession of carriages winding roimd the rocks 
toward Brenton's Road, that was once the main drive in 
the Hanmiersmith estate. The vehicles follow the curves 
of the road as it winds around the crags, curling beside 
the marsh and under the boulders to Mr. A. H. Olmsted's 
picturesque house. 

Perhaps one of the most harmonious of the many houses 
Iniilt on these lonely crags belongs to Mrs. Busk. Here 
nature has done famously, and art has not impaired what 
was already perfect. The entrance road winds imder a 
steep bluff, approaching by an easy gradient the beautiful 
stone house that seems part of the surrounding rocks. The 
gromids have been deftly planted with imported shrubs, the 
golden flowerets of which gild the surrounding scenery. 



THK OCl'.AN DRIVK AND KINDRI'.I) SPUR ROADS 

Indian Spring-, as Ihc ]>lac(' is called, (•onunaiids an ex- 
tensive view that is unsurpassed. 

As the ocean drive curves under Hie i-ocks past the ^oi-se- 
coverod fields, Price's Neck bounds Hie view to the south- 
ward. On it is the life-saving slalion shown in the view 
ot JNlr. Olmsted's house, with a few scattered cottages, Mr. 
^Furray's Fo 'castle and Mr. Xeilson's Koekledge being, as 
it were, like yadds at sea, since Ihey are nearly surrounded 
by watei-. 

One of the abrupt and sudden transitions for whi(di 
Newport is famed, and which adds to her seductiveness, is 
met at this turn of the ocean drive, for directly on the fash- 
ionable road, wliicli for months is crowded with the equi- 
pages of the wealthiest of the land, is a simple and most un- 
pretentious farm-house. Ducks and geese swim in the little 
pond under the windows. Before the door a pebbly strand 
stretches out, on which the waves dash that seem to threaten 
even the weather-beaten old building that has defied them 
for two centuries, for this was one of the houses on the 
Hammersmith demesne, occupied by a tenant named Price, 
who was the family shoemaker. 

The road now dips directly to the edge of the ocean, 
where the water creeps over or lashes the rocks, curling 
back to meet the incoming breakers. On this spot there is 
a grand view of Brenton's Reef, off the entrance to New- 
port harbor, pushing a mile into the ocean, over which the 
" sea-horses" dash after a great storm, as if the naiads were 
jealous of the fashionable throng on land and wished to 
spring upon them. Three miles to sea is the light-ship, 
dipping and bowing at its anchor. Point Judith extends 
in the distance, and on a clear day Hie houses at Narra- 
gansett stand out distinctly. 

Just here lie two lonely graves, the headstones telling 

79 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of the poor sailors whose bodies were foimd lodged on the 
inhospitable rocks. This is called Graves Point. The road 
has passed the club-house, that is said to be the most ex- 
travagant in the country, although it is only an impre- 
tentious frame building. It is maintained by a number of 
keen amateur fishermen, who may often be seen casting 
their lines from the platforms on the ledges. 

As the drive reaches Brenton's Point it turns sharply to 
the north, rounding " The Eeef," as Mr. Theodore M. 
Davis calls his place. Behind the shelter of the rock wall 
is the most superb hedge of Japanese roses. The rough, 
richly tinted leaves and magnificent flowers of this hardy 
shrub thrive on the bleakest point of Aquidneck. It is 
beautiful at all seasons, for the ruby berries are as decora- 
tive as the blossoms. In the house is the best collection of 
" primitive" pictures in this part of the world, and there 
are many other curiosities. On February 12, 1905, Mr, 
Davis was the discoverer of a tomb in Egypt between the 
sepulchres of Rameses IX. and Rameses XII., that proved 
to be the burial place of Yua and Thua, parents of Queen 
Teie, the wife of Ammonhotep III., of the eighteenth dy- 
nasty. This tomb was packed with treasures constituting 
the richest discovery of ancient Egypt that it has fallen to 
the lot of any explorer to uncover, adding to the number 
of discoveries made by Mr. Davis. In March, 1903, he 
unearthed the war chariot of Thothmes IV., and has 
made many excavations of great value. Everything in 
the burial-place of Yua and Thua was covered with plates 
of gold. The alabaster jars in which parts of the bodies 
were placed are of the most beautiful workmanship, and 
the heads forming the covers are in the best style of 
Egyptian art. 

Mr. Davis's dahabeyeh, the Bedouiu, is well known on 

80 



IWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

poor sailors whose ))"<!.- were fonud lodged on the 

. citable rocks. Tliis : -. *Hlled Grn > >•« Point. The road 

ha8 passed the chib-lx iisc. Uiat is id to be the most ex- 
travagant in the coiinlry, althoii^ii it is only an unpre- 
tentious frame building. It is maintained by a number of 
keen amateur li^lipntieu, who may often be seen casting 
their lines froni the platfoi mm on the ledges. 

As the (I'i t' reaches Bv iton's Point it turns sharply to 
the norfli. '..'aiding " '! ■ Reef," as Mr. Theodore M. ; 
Davis calls ins place, i md the shelter of the rock wall < 
is the uiM.vi superb he(i of .lapanese roses. The rough, ^ 
richly tinter] leaves an i magnificent flowers of this hardy -"- 
shrill* thi-ive on the i-ieakest point of Aquidneek. It is ^ 
beautiful at all season , for the ruby berries are as decora- | i 
tive as the blossoms, fn the house is the best collection of 2 I 
" primitive" picture in this part of the world, and there s | 
are many other cur .sities. On February 12, 1905, Mr. § ^ 
Davis was the dise-iv-rer of a tomb in Egypt between the S | 
sepulchres of Rann' - IX. and Rameses XII., that proved * * 
to be the burial pln^ :'f Yua and Thua, parents of Queen | 
Teie, the wife of Ai tonhotep III., of the eighteenth dy- ^ 
nasty. This tomb v. packed with treasures constituting I 
the richest discoveiy ■•' ancient Egypt that it has fallen to ^ 
the lot of any explon ; \o uncover, adding to the n\nnber ^ 
of discoveries made b\ \Cr. Davis. In March, 1903, he 
unearthed the war <'li.i!!ot of Thothmes TV., and has 
made many excavatioir f great value. Everything in 
''"■ iMirial-place of Yua ;h. 1 Thua was covered with plates 
id. The alabaster jais in which parts of the bodies 
placed are of the most s*>autif\il workmanship, and 
<ads forming the covrf fire in the best style of 

is's dahabeyeh, the J{<'«i -uiu, is weU known on 

80 



THK OCF.AN DRIVli AND KINDRI.I) SPUK ROADS 

the Nile, where he has many friends among the foreign 
residents and the natives. 

As Ocean Aveime winds around Brenton's Point the 
view westward attracts attention. The entire entrance to 
this part of Narragansett Bay is stretched out. The south- 
ern cape of Conanicut Island, that was appropriately named 
Beaver-tail, from its shape, bounds the horizon. The rocks 
here are dark and forbidding in appearance. The water 
has cut under the ledges, and forms little caves into which 
the waves dash and heave. The bluff is crowned by a lovely 
villa belonging to Mr. Ross Winan and called by him Bleak 
House. The view from the pergola that has been ])uilt on 
the edge of the rocks is delightful. 

And now the drive slides down to Collins 's beach and 
finishes abruptly under Castle Hill. This place earned its 
name from a rampart built there to defend the harbor. The 
water at the base of the rocks is twenty-nine fathoms. ])ur- 
ing spring and autunm tautog can be caught at tliis si)ot. 
No more fitting termination could be found than at the feet 
of the great naturalist who has wrested from earth and 
water the secrets of its living life. As Mr. Longfellow 
wrote of his friend Mr. Agassiz : 

" And Nature, fho old nurso, took 
The child upon her knee. 
Saying, ' Here is a story-book 
Thy father has written for thee.' " 

Ocean Avenue links the wild beauties of sea and land 
witli the luxury of modern civilization. It draws the home 
of the }niIlionaire to the base of that of the savant. It is 
at once the wildest and the most cultivated scenery in 
the world. It is the site of the first gentleman's estate on 
Aquidneck. Its varied views charm the eye, while the 
health-giving })reezes bring color to the cheeks. 

s 81 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

The Bateman place, at the corner of Ridge Road and 
Castle Hill Avenue, is an attractive old farm, where many 
people stay in summer. It stands somewhat back from the 
road in an orchard. On the groimds is a smnmer-house that 
is copied from the tower in Touro Park. Bateman 's was 
the object of the afternoon drive before Ocean Avenue 
was opened, which was a favorite for many years. Before 
Bellevue Avenue was laid out a coimtry road led to the 
farm. There were at least ten gates to be opened, and 
at these were always stationed a group of children who de- 
manded pennies for their services. Castle Hill Avenue is 
a pretty shady lane turning into Harrison Avenue. It is 
the old Indian track that led from the northern part of 
the island to Collins 's beach and the redoubt on the hill. 
One of the entrances to the golf grounds opens on Har- 
rison Avenue. The club-house is on an elevation com- 
manding the links and has an extensive view of the ocean. 
It is supposed that it stands on part of the island that 
was originally separated from the end of Aquidneck, 
and that the ocean swept over the marshes or low land 
directly into Brenton's Cove. But this inlet was closed 
before the white men came, for no mention of it is made 
in the records. 

Overhanging the woodland road is the beautiful home 
of Mrs. Arnold Hague, who is reclaiming the wild land and 
planting it with exotics that will make this part of New- 
port famous for novel and beautiful effects. But to return 
to Ridge Road as it leaves Ocean Avenue close to Shamrock 
Cliff, Mr. Gr. M. Hutton's place, that overlooks the entrance 
to Narragansett Bay. 

Broadlawns adjoins Mr. Hutton's home, and Mr. Hunt- 
ington has done much to make this one of the most valuable 
of the riparian properties, rivalling that of Mr. Lewis Cass 



THE OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR ROADS 

Ledyard, whose place commands an unrivalled view of 
Beaver-tail and the Dumplings. 

The great colonial-looking mansion belonging to Mrs. 
Charles F. Hoffman shares the extensive view of the last- 
mentioned estates, and when the Cliff Walk is continued 
and skirts them all, the public will delight in the fine pros- 
pects they can now only enjoy from a distance. A turn in 
the road skirts Hammersmith Farm, the extensive property 
owned by Mr. Hugh Auchincloss, of New York, who has 
preserved the name of the first great demesne of ISTe^vport 
that was laid out in the seventeenth century by Governor 
William Brenton, and which covered, it is said, the entire 
neck of land from the ocean at Almy's Pond to the bay, 
although the boundaries are rather uncertain. 

William Brenton was president of Aquidneck from 1640 
to 1647, then deputy-governor, and finally governor of the 
colony of Rhode Island from 1666 to 1669. He had emi- 
grated from Hammersmith, England. He jourchased the 
land from the Indians, and laid out the property in farms. 
Part of it was devoted to raising cattle, sheep, and horses 
from imported stock. Houses were built for the use of the 
employees of the estate, one of which has been mentioned as 
still standing on the little beach on Ocean Avenue, and is 
called Price's Farm. Jaheel Brenton, the elder son, had 
another house near the ocean, the location of which is dis- 
puted. Governor Brenton built himself a large handsome 
house familiarly called " The Chimneys," as it had four 
brick chimneys. 

The roof was surrounded by a high parapet, command- 
ing a beautiful view, the rooms were large and filled with 
imported furniture. It was no unfitting predecessor to its 
successor, built by Mr. Auchincloss. The gardens of this 
estate rival those of Governor Benton, who planned to found 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

for himself a principality in the new world that was 
wrested from him by his democratic neighbors. 

Fort Adams is built on the neck of land commanding 
the entrance to the inner Newport harbor. It is full of 
historic interest, and the drive that circles the great stone 
fortress is too lovely to be neglected as it generally is by the 
sightseers. 

The small farm-house near the entrance to Fort Adams 
was made the scene of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel 
called " The Minister's Wooing." She took for her hero- 
ine a Newport girl, and for her hero one of its most 
eccentric clergymen. Dr. Hopkins, whose peculiar views 
caused the formation of a new sect called the Hopkin- 
sonians. 

Beacon Hill Eoad turns into Harrison Avenue at the 
summit of the hill, making a semicircular sweep, to rejoin 
it half a mile nearer town. On one of the highest points is 
the stone mansion owned by Mr. J. E. Addicks. The last 
occupants abandoned it, for its mistress declared that her 
servants were kept so busy racing after the furniture that 
had been blown off the piazza over the lawn that she never 
had any use of their services. The beauty of the situation, 
however, compensates for such minor troubles in house- 
keeping, and Belvoir is a most delightfid home. 

Eeturning to Harrison Avenue on Beacon Road, Miss 
Rosa Grosvenor's, Mr. William Grosvenor's, and Mr. Dur- 
yea's places are passed, that have each a fascination of its 
o\\ai. 

Mr. E. D. Morgan's classic villa is perched on Beacon 
Rock, that bounds Brenton's Cove on the east. No one but 
a master of taste would have selected such a site for a home, 
as it seemed impracticable, but it is an example of what 
can be accomplished by skill, for the house is a model of 

84 



THK OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR ROADS 

sinii)le refineiiieiit, that, instead of striking a jarring note 
in tlie landscape, adds greatly to its liarnionions lieauty. 
To reach the main-land an arch of stone-work spans tlu; 
spaee between two cj-ags, which is most jjicturesqne. 

Beach Bonnd, built by Mr. Burden, is situated directly- 
on the bay. Harrison Avemie here takes a sharp turn, and 
from this point there was once a grand view over the water 
that is now cut off by an osage orange hedge. 

Mrs. Harry Wliite inherited from her father, Mr. Lewis 
Rutherford, the famo\is astronomer, her delightful place 
Edgerston, named after the family estates in Scotland. 
Harrison House, on the south side of the avenue, is the 
home of Mr. Gibson Falmestock. It is close to the water, 
so the " Shenandoah," flying her yellow-and-blue crossed 
burgee, can anchor at the owner's wharf. Mrs. Bonaparte, 
the granddaughter of Daniel Webster, owned the place for 
many years. 

Pen Craig Cottage was built l)y Mrs. (ieorge eTones, 
whose gifted daughter, Mrs. Edward Wharton, passed her 
girlhood days in these surroundings. Mr. Hamilton Pish 
Webster has owned the ])lace for many years, and has 
altered and inijn-ovcd it. The situation is jiecidiar, foi-, 
although on the harbor side of the island, there is a beau- 
tiful view of the ocean over Cherry Neck. 

Overhanging the harbor is Mr. Sidney Webster's lovely 
home. The lawns sloi)e directly to the water, looking at the 
Lime Rock light-house, in which lives Ida Lewis, the 
heroine who has saved so many lives f i-om shipwreck. 

Lawnfield has also a fine view of the harbor, with a peep 
at the ocean on the opposite side of the hou.se. Mr. J. C. 
Smitli has ))nrchased the Swiss chalet that is next to ^Fr. 
Edward 1^. Ludlow's and Mrs. SheifPelin's places, ])oth of 
which are surrounded by beautiful trees. Just beyond 

Si 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

these places Harrison Avenue conies to an abrupt end in 
the Old Port Eoad. The usual route to the town is through 
Halidon Avenue past the Riviera, for many years the cen- 
tre of fashion, where Mrs. Hugh Dickey was its attractive 
hostess. Mrs. John Nicholas Brown's new and beautiful 
house promises aU the charm that has hallowed the spot. 
Mrs. William Iselin's house stands on top of a hill over- 
looking the bay, but she seldom occupies it. It was built 
by her grandmother, New York's great social leader, Mrs. 
Mary Mason Jones. 

The Chalet, the summer residence of Hugh L. Wil- 
loughby, the first house built on Halidon Hill, lies between 
that of Mrs. Iselin and Mr. J. C. Smith. These places 
are close to the harbor, so that an old yachtsman like 
Lieutenant WiUoughby can enjoy his favorite sport with- 
out exertion, or overlook the manoeuvres of the Naval 
Eeserve of Rhode Island that he organized, and of which 
he is so justly proud. This sheltered spot is conducive 
also to a literary life, which can be thoroughly appreciated 
by the author of "Across the Everglades." 

Mrs. P. O. French's house. Harbor View, is well named. 
It is divided from Mr. Lorillard Spencer's Chastellux by 
the avenue of the same name. Where all the places are so 
beautiful, it seems invidious to praise one to the exclusion 
of another, but it would be difficult to find any more de- 
lightful than those on Newport harbor. 

THE SPUR ROADS 
It is generally conceded that Ocean Avenue affords 
many beautiful views, and is a charming as well as fash- 
ionable drive, but even it becomes monotonous if taken 
daily. Still it is not the only road in Newport, and infinite 
variety may be obtained by turning from it to follow one 



THE OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR ROADS 

or the other of the half-dozen that connect it with the north- 
em part of the peninsula. 

Coggeshall Avenue is the first turning to the right at 
the triangle formed by it, Belle\aie, and Ocean Avenues. It 
skirts Alniy's Pond, but it is seldom used by the fashionable 
world, for on it open all the stables and kitchen-gardens 
of the villas that have their dress front on Bellevue Avenue. 
Mr. Oliver Perry Belmont, Mr. Eeed, Mr. Havemeyer, Mr. 
Edward Cramp, Mrs. Baldwin, Mr. J. Van Alen, and Mrs. 
Scott all have kitchen entrances on Coggeshall Avenue, 
which merges into the better-known Spring Street at Bate- 
man Avenue. 

The Jeffrey Road is little more than a pretty lane, of a 
quarter of a mile in length, that leaves Ocean Avenue be- 
tween Mr. Starr Miller's and Mr. Stuyvesant Fish's places. 
It is bordered with wild flowers, and is only attractive to 
lovers of nature. It was the site of William Jeffrey's 
homestead, a celebrated refugee who came to Rhode Island 
in 1639, and who was supposed to have been one of those 
connected with the execution of Charles I. of England. Jef- 
frey o^vned about seventy acres between the great Hammer- 
smith estate, belonging to Governor Brenton, and William 
Coggeshall's tract of land, that extended nearly to Pelham 
Street. Jeffrey's tomb is in Trinity church-yard, and he 
is said to have been a devout member of the congregation. 

The road turns into Carroll Avenue, that leads to Harri- 
son Avenue, where the Fort Road and Bateman Avenue 
form a triangle that has been carefully planted with lovely 
shrubs. The Hazard Road skirts the Cherry Neck Inlet 
on the east and Lily Pond on the west. There are many 
attractive sites on this road waiting for purchasers. What 
is still called the Brenton Road was originally the private 
drive in Governor William Brenton 's great estate, con- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

necting his mansion with the outlying farms on Cherry 
Neck, and the old shoemaker, Price, in the farm-house still 
standing beside tlie ocean. On the rocks overhanging the 
road was the celebrated beacon that was so useful in Revolu- 
tionary times, giving the place the name of Beacon Hill, by 
which it is still known. A good view is obtained from this 
road of Mr. Addicks's handsome stone house that is perched 
on the crags " far from the madding crowd." Even on the 
coldest day in winter, and after great snow-storms, this road 
is dry and hard, as the wind sweeps it clear of snow and 
dries the road, so the whiter residents frequently drive to 
this beautiful spot, where they can walk for a couple of 
miles to enjoy the grand view in solitude. 

Miss Rosa Grosvenor's delightful home stands on an 
eminence that commands an extensive view over Newport 
harbor, Narragansett Bay, and the ocean. Fort Adams 
seeins to be almost directly beneath the house, while at night 
the lights of the town twinkle to the northeast. Miss Gros- 
venor has named her place Wyndham, and she is rapidly 
repairing the damage done by the Hessian troops, who de- 
stroyed the primeval forest at this place, for she is plant- 
ing numbers of trees that are being coaxed to grow on this 
wind-swept spot. 

Rosljai, the estate of Mr. William Grosvenor, of Prov- 
idence, is perched so advantageously on Beacon Hill that it 
commands a generous view of harbor and ocean. Here also 
the gardener's and forester's arts have been called upon to 
make the desert bloom, so the once bare rocks will again be 
covered and the landscape will be more beautiful than ever 
before. 

The colonial-looking house of Mr. A. M. Coats, of Prov- 
idence, crowns the hill that rises east of Brenton's Road, 
with an entrance on Harrison Avenue. A long straight 

88 



THK OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED SPUR ROADS 

road leading to the house is lined with poplar-trees that 
recall the avenue planted b}^ Major de Tousard at Fort 
Adams, in whieh the French officer took such pride, but 
which died on reaching their one hundredth year, that 
seems to be the life of these trees. 

Mr. Blanding's place is one of Newport's newest crea- 
tions, but it promises to convert a once desolate spot into a 
))('autif'ul garden. From the house is an extensive view of 
the Dccan, t'(ir, altliongli within a quarter of a mile of the 
harbor, it stands on such an elevation that it overlooks the 
low marsh land lying between the hill and the water. 

Narragansett Avenue runs from west to east across 
Bellevue Avemie, just one mile from the official centre of 
New])ort, the pivot of which is the old State-House facing 
the Parade. This short shady lane, that is scarcely a mile 
ill length, is declared to be the centre of Newport's social 
world, although there are very few extravagant or remark- 
alile places opening from it. The root of Narragansett Ave- 
nue is planted in an inconspicuous and but little known 
street called Marchant, running from it to the ocean, where 
it terminates at the " Forty Steps," a stairway that leads 
to the water below. 

One of the most delightful country-seats in Newport 
opens on this avenue just east of Spring Street. It is now 
owned l)y Mr. de Lancey Astor Kane, and was originally 
laid out by his aunt, Mrs. Nicholsen, who was one of the 
"pioneer cottagers," as they are called, a woman cele- 
brated in her day for grace and charm as a hostess. Mr. 
Kane has practically reconstructed both house and gardens. 
The great oak-trees planted by Mrs. Nicholsen give their 
name to the place, and show how nature can be coaxed to 
aid in decoration, for it was supposed when they were 
planted that no tree would grow so close to the ocean. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

whereas now Mr. Kane's lawns are among the best- wooded 
on Aquidneck. The gardens have been skilfully plamied 
imder Mrs. Kane's directions, and on Friday afternoons in 
mid-summer she receives in the pergola, that is the central 
spot of beauty in the demesne, and there are few more at- 
tractive scenes than the one witnessed there as beautifully 
gowned women wander along the paths bordered with rare 
and lovely flowers. 

Mr. Rollins Morse, of Boston, has a new house on a 
delightful plot that opens on Narragansett Avenue, on the 
corner of Bellevue. Rhua House once occupied this place. 
It was the home of Mrs. Louis Jones, of New York, a gay 
and fashionable dame, whose entertaimnents and charming 
personality made her a general favorite. The exterior of 
Mr. Morse's house is a capital specimen of Colonial archi- 
tecture, while the interior is decorated far more lavishly 
than the majority of houses of that date in this country. It 
is said that the cottage of the late Mr, Cohunbus Baldwin is 
the most unique in Newport, while Mrs. Osgood's, on the 
southeast side of Narragansett Avenue, is the ;nost com- 
fortable. 

The beautifid jilace adjoining Mrs. Osgood's belongs to 
Mr. James Stilhnan. It recalls memories of by-gone own- 
ers who made Oaklawn the centre of every gayety. The 
dinners of Mr. Charles H. Russell were famous, and Miss 
Fanny Russell, his daughter, presided with such dignity 
that she is remembered by all those who had the pleasure of 
knowing her when she was playfully called the Queen of 
Newport. 

The country-seats of Mrs. Tiffany, Mr. Warren, Mrs. 
Schermerhorn, Mr. Weld, and Mrs. Haven line Narragan- 
sett Avenue on the northern side. Each place has some dis- 
tinguishing or noteworthy feature, for it is remarkable that 



THF. OCEAN DRIVK AND KINDRliD SPUR ROADS 

in Newport the owner of each house stamps it with his own 
individuality, which is perhaps the reason for the attraction 
of the city. 

Rosevale, once o\\aied by Mr. George Lockhart Rives, 
has lately been purchased by Mrs. Dulles, of Philadelphia. 
It was always a most delightful home, and the alterations 
made by its new owner promise to make it one of the most 
attractive on the avenue. 

Quarterf oil is owned by Mr. William E. Carter, of Phil- 
adelphia. The name of the place is conspicuously displayed 
on the gate-posts, where the but half-hidden pun on the 
names of house and owner brings a smile to those who 
realize and enjoy it. 

Mr. Richard T. Wilson, of New York, owns the adjoin- 
ing villa that lies between Quarterfoil and the magnilicent 
new house of Dr. Henry E. Jacobs, of Baltimore. The 
grounds have been skilfully laid out. During the winter 
months numbers of large trees, weighing from ten to fifteen 
tons apiece, were haided by eight horses attached to a dray 
to the grounds, where they were planted, and promise to 
flourish in their new home. This lovely spot was originally 
occupied by Mr. William Travers, the well-known club-man 
and wit, whose choice sayings are often quoted. During 
Mr. Travers 's lifetime the red house was the centre of New- 
port gayeties. With a beautiful wife and a quiverful of 
sons and daughters, there was seldom a moment during the 
season when the house was not filled with a gay, pleasure- 
loving crowd, and receptions, dinners, dances, etc., followed 
in lively succession. This place is at the corner of Narra- 
gansett Avenue and Ochre Point Avenue, which at one time 
was called Widows' Lane, for almost every one living on it 
had lost either a husband or wife. Mrs. Goelet's house, 
overlooking the ocean, shows the quiet good taste of its mis- 

91 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

tress. It is a picturesque building, and there are no more 
lovely grounds than these that slope to the sea, overhanging 
the rocks that edge it. Mrs. Frederick Sheldon and Mr. 
George Richmond Fearing, her brother, live side by side. 
Their father, Mr. Daniel Fearing, was one of the first men 
who realized the desirability of Newport as a smnmer resi- 
dence, and his old home, which lies close to those of his chil- 
dren, is now owned by his grandson, Daniel B. Fearing, the 
ex-mayor of Newpoi-t. Mr. R. L. Gammell's " South 
House" is directly on the ocean, and is one of the places 
that is skirted by the Cliff Walk. 

What is now known as Ochre Point is a small cape jut- 
ting into the Atlantic Ocean. It was given the name because 
of the metallic oxides that stain the cliffs at this point, giv- 
ing them a yellow tint. The original grant was assigned in 
1G40 to one Brassee, and it was supposed to be valuable, as 
a gold-mine was alleged to have been discovered there. It 
passed into the hands of Godfrey Malbone, who deeded it to 
Robert Taylor, whose son Nicholas inherited it, and it was 
known for many years as the Taylor Farm. In the middle 
of the nineteenth century sixty-nine acres of this farm were 
sold for twelve thousand dollars. When Mr. Beach Law- 
rence, of New York, purchased the farm he gave it the 
name it now bears, and converted the old house into a com- 
fortable dwelling for himself and his large family. He 
had been secretary to Mr. Gallatin when the latter was min- 
ister to the court of St. James, in 1826. He Avas a grad- 
uate of Columbia College and author of " The Rights of 
Nations," a book that made him famous all over Europe. 
All the noteworthy people who visited Newport during the 
last five-and-twenty years of the nineteenth century were 
entertained by Mr. Lawrence. An amusing account of one 
luncheon given to Miss Carpenter, the English prison re- 

92 



THE OCEAN DRIVE AND KINDRED Sl'lIR ROADS 

former, was related by one of the guests, among whom were 
Charlotte Cushman, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Professor and 
ISfrs. Botta, with many others. On the lawn under the old 
apple-trees was a long plank resting on supports. This was 
called a " joggle board," and was an unfailing amusement 
to foreigners, who would seat themselves and be violently 
bounced uj) and down l)y some of the children of the family. 
After Governor Lawrence's death the old farm was cut into 
many lots, which sold for fabulous sums, and on his home- 
stead are now the dozen or more places that are crowned 
with magnihcent palaces tluit have made Newport famous 
far and near. 

Among them is the Elizabethan castle belonging to 
]\Ir. James J. Van Alen, which is noted for the attention to 
detail displayed in the interior decorations and furniture 
as well as the exterior. Mr. Van Alen's dining-room is ex- 
quisite, and his dinners are famous. The great mahogany 
table is not covered with a cloth, but candelabra, compo- 
tiers, dishes, etc., of silver are dotted on its sliining surface, 
that reflects the glints of light on the silver and tliose from 
the candles in the great branches. The s(n'vice of plate and 
unique decorations make Mr. Van Alen's entertainments 
marked features even in Ncw])(n't. 

Mr. iNIoiTcli, of Philadelpliia, owns ilie adjoining cot- 
tage, wliicli is next to Mr. J. A\'ysong. Mr. Shields and Mrs. 
Eldridge cover the adjoining lols on Ocbre Avenue. Mrs. 
Hamilton Twombly purchased Vinland, that stands on the 
site of Governor Lawrence's old house, which was removed 
when Miss Gatherine Wolfe purchased the place from his 
heirs. The latter left her house to Mr. Louis Lorillard, who 
sold it to tlie present owner. 




THE BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NEWPORT 



N 




EWPORT is approached from 

the Atlantic Ocean through Nar- 

ragansett Bay, which is one of the 

safest of the numerous landlocked 

waters on the coast of North 

'iW,, __ ^- J America, affording as it does an 

J?_r-.3^--^'- - vuirivalled harbor for the largest 

vessels. It is sheltered by picturesque crags and rocks that 

not only attract the eye, but claim attention on account of 

their historic interest. 

A native poet once wrote of Newport that it was 



" The loveliest gem on the bosom of earth, 
And queen of the isles of the sea-," 



and we may forgive this natural pride, for, indeed, Aquid- 
neck is a favored spot not only by nature, but tkrough art. 
The entrance to the bay is between Point Judith on the Nar- 
ragansett side and Brenton's Point on Aquidneck. The sail 
up the Strait between Castle Hill and Fort Dumpling and 
past the torpedo station into the harbor of Newport itself 
looks as beautiful to-day as it mtist have looked to the hardy 
sailors who first entered it. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Since we are unable to pierce the haze that veils the 
voyages of the early explorers, as no authentic records 
remain to testify to the truth of the traditions that reach 
us, we can only try to believe what many writers have posi- 
tively affirmed was a fact when they state that Leif the 
Lucky, the son of Red Eric, visited Aquidneck in 1001. 
He is said to have sailed into Narragansett Bay in his 
small, sharp-prowed vessel and astonished the aborigines by 
the paleness of his complexion in contrast to their own red 
skins. The strange fashions of the Norsemen overawed the 
Indian, for although the former stood but little higher in 
the grade of civilization than the wild man of the new world, 
still they had some arts and crafts quite unknown l^eforc 
that date in America. 

But the traces left of this visit from Leif the Lucky to 
Newport are so very slight as to be unrecognized except by 
persons learned in ancient geography, early voyages, and 
kindred subjects, and it is a more generally accepted belief 
that Giovanni da Verrazani, the European navigator, dis- 
covered Aquidneck about 1524, when he visited America in 
his ship " La Dauphine," and that he planted the French 
flag on the island, claiming the territory in the name of his 
master, Frangois I. of France. The map made by this hardy 
sailor has been studied and discussed by many writers ; who 
have generally agreed that he called the Sound he had dis- 
covered the Bay of Refuge, entirely ignoring the name 
given it by the savages, which has also been discarded. For- 
timately the Frenchman's descriptive but umnusical title 
had not found favor with the English settlers, so the beau- 
tiful sheet of water commemorates by its appellation the 
tribe of Indians that once ruled its waves, fished its waters, 
or fought on its shores, and now the name of Narragansett 
Bay will probably cling to this historic spot forever. 



NEWPORT Ot'R SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Since \^ ; • to pierce the haze that veils the 

voyages • ' . . explorers, as no authentic records 

rema;: lo the truth of the traditions that reach 

us, w'e.:jt '!.■; ! ry to believe what many Avriters have posi- 
tively affirmed was a fact when they state that Leif the 
Lucky, the son of Red Eric, visited Aquidneck in 1001, 
He is said to have sailed into Narragansett Bay in his 
small, sharp-prowed vessel and astonished the aborigines by 
the paleness of his complexion in contrast to their own red 
skins. The strange fashions of the Norsemen overawed the 
Indian, for alth(^iigh the former stood but little higher in 
the grade of civilization than the wild man of the new world, 
still they had st>me arts and crafts quite unknown before 
that date in America. 

But the traces left of this visit from Lcif the Lucky to 
Newport are so very slight as to be unrecognized except by 
persons leanied in ancient geography, early voyages, and 
kindred subjects, and it is a more generally accepted belief 
that Giovanni da Verrazani, the European navigator, dis- 
covered Aquidneck aboxit 1524, when he visited America in 
his ship " La Dauphine," and that he planted the French 
flag on the island, claiming the territory in the name of his 
master, Francois I. of France. The map made by this hardy 
sailor has been studied and discussed by many writers ; who 
have generally agreed that he called the Sound he had dis- 
covered the Bay of Refuge, entirely ignoring the name 
given it by the savages, which has also been discarded. For- 
tunately the Frenchman's descriptive but umnusical title 
had not found favor with the English settlers, so the beau- 
tiful sheet of water commemorates by its appellation the 
tribe of Lidians that once ruled its waves, fished its waters, 
or fought on its shores, and now the name of Narragansett 
Bay will probablj- cling to tliis historic spot forever. 



< 



THK BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NFWl'ORl" 

Tlie first settlers of Newport sailed down the bay from 
Providence, instead of entering it from the ocean. They 
landed at Coasters Island, but the following day moved to 
the larger one that the Indians called Aquidneek, or the Isle 
of Peace. Here a few small houses were built half-way up 
the hill, near a good spring of fresh water, on a spot that 
commanded an extensive view of Narragansett Bay, and 
close to the harbor with its good anchorage, that has made 
Newport the prosperous city it has become. Many years 
latci- ^1. de Crevccoeur wrote : 

" The harbor of Newport is one of the best in every re- 
spect. The roads are well planted with acacias and plane- 
trees. There are abundant springs everyw^here. The fields 
are rich, the meadows afford good pasturage, and the houses 
are singularly neat and convenient. The head of the island 
toward the sea offers a singular mixture of picturesque 
rocks, pleasant bays, and rough cliffs. A man can farm 
with one hand and fish with the otlier. Here is the best 
blood in America, and the beauty of the women, the hospi- 
tality of the inhabitants, the sweet society, and the sim- 
plicity of their anuisenients have always 2)i"<^o]iged my 
stay." 

These compliments from the keen-eyed Frenchman are 
as well deserved to-day as when they were penned, although 
lie wi-ote many years after the Hi'st settlement of the island, 
the i)i-()sperity of wliicli was early assured. Into its safe 
liai'lxir sailed the well-ladeii sliips of the Newpcu't mer- 
chants, tile cargoes of rum, molasses, slaves, or sperm en- 
riching the inhabitants and keeping them well occupied in 
reshipping or distributing the contents of the warehouses 
along tlie shores. Habits of thrift and economy were taught 
l)y the Jews, such as Lopez and Riviera, while dis])lay and 
extravagance were inculcated by the example of Governor 

7 97 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Brenton, Governor Coddingtoii, Godfrey Malbone, and 
other great lauded proj)rietors. Whale-boats, slavers, and 
merchantmen were not the only vessels that entered or 
cleared from Newport harbor. Many stories were told of 
black-hulled pirates that took shelter in coves and hiding- 
places aloug the shore, and the armed privateersmen that 
hunted them from these lairs. The old sailors told weird 
tales of adventure, but none was more mysterious than a 
well-authenticated history of a mystery of the sea. 

lu the smnmer of 1750 some fishermen on Brenton 's reef 
saw a brig with all sails set heading directly for Cogge- 
shall's Ledge instead of entering the harbor. The move- 
ments of the vessel were so peculiar that the fishermen fol- 
lowed along the edge of the cliff, expecting every minute to 
see her dashed to pieces on the rocks. She drove into the 
bay between Ochre and Easton's Points, striking on the 
sand toward the northeastern part of Easton's beach, where 
the outlet of the i>ond flows into the ocean. The vessel was 
quickly beached, but to the unbounded astonishment of 
every one nothing alive was on board but a dog and a cat. 
There was a fire burning in the galley and a table was spread 
for breakfast. The ship was from Honduras and well 
laden. Everything was in order and nothing was missing 
but the long boat. It is not difficult to imagine how much 
excitement this irregular arrival of a foreign vessel created 
in the quiet town. She was easily floated and sailed round 
into Newport harbor safely, but nothing was ever heard of 
captain or crew and no claim ever made for the vessel and 
cargo. After lying some time without an owner, the fisher- 
men who had rescued the ship sold her to Henry Collins, 
who named her the " Blackbird" and fitted her out for a 
coaster. During the Revolutionary War this waif of the sea 
was captured while trying to run the blockade. The British 

98 



IHK BKAirriFl'I. HARBOR OF Nl-AVI'OR'l' 

altered her and cut her down for a galley, aftei- which she 
prowled around Narragansett Bay with another name and 
colors, doing as much injury as possible uncU'r her new com- 
manders to the people who had rescued her ;i quarter of a 
century before fi'om tlie rocks on Baston's beach. 

In May, 174.3, the Assembly of Rhode Island passed a 
resolution to raise a regiment of one hundred and fifty men 
to join the other colonial troops in. the expedition against 
Louisburg. It was also decreed that the sloop " Tartar," 
wliicli belonged to Rhode Island, should be fitted out and 
armed, and that a crew of ninety men exclusive of officers 
should be placed on board of her that should take part in 
the attack on the island of Cape Breton, supported by the 
troops of the colony. 

The Puritans of the time were, says Mr. Longfellow, 
occupied partly in fighting, l)ut partly after their own 
fashion, saying,— 

" Let us pray: 
Lord, we would not advise ; 

But if in Thy Providence 
A tempest should arise 

To drive the French fleet hence, 
And scatter it far and wide, 

Or sink it in the sea, 
Wo should he satisfied, 

And lliine the plory he." 

It was pei-haps in answer to this prayer that the fleet 
sent out by France was destroyed liy a storm at sea and the 
vessels so scattered and injured ihal they were unable to 
raise the siege of Louisburg, whidi was surreudei'cd after 
it had been surrounded fort.y-nine days, June 17, 1715, and 
peace was signed in October, 1748. 

The Rhode Island privateersmen distinguislied tliem- 

99 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

selves particularly during this war, and more than twenty 
prizes were carried into Newport alone. 

It was after the capture of Cape Breton that the unfor- 
tunate inhabitants were so cruelly driven from their homes 
by the British, the story of which is immortalized in the 
history of Evangeline, written by Henry Longfellow. The 
recollection of the sufferings of these unfortunate people 
made a lasting impression on the minds of the colonists in 
other parts of America, nerving them to resist the encroach- 
ments of the British government, for they were well aware 
that they might meet a similar fate. The history of the 
Tories who went to England after the war but too truly 
points to what the destinies of those who were loyal to the 
government would certainly have been. 

The renowned sloop " Tartar" had been built by the 
colony of Ehode Island and Providence Plantations from 
its own revenues to protect its shipping interests in 1740, 
since the British govermnent failed to guard the people or 
give them an equi^'alent for the income derived from Ameri- 
can taxes. The " Tartar" was a vessel of one hundred and 
fifteen tons, that did good service for many years. When it 
became politic to disann her for fear she would be seized 
and used against the people she was intended to protect, a 
pair of cannon were jsresented to the town of Newport, and 
after these became unserviceable they Avere simk on either 
side of the fountain at the foot of the Mall, directly in front 
of Captain Oliver Perry's monument. 

At the time the " Tartar" was commissioned by the 
colonial government five privateersmen were fitted out by 
Godfrey Malbone, of Newport, and other merchants. 
Manned by four hundred men, these vessels cruised against 
the pirates who had been capturing homeward-bound ships. 
Many years afterwards the mouth of Narragansett Bay and 

100 



THE BKAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NEWPORT 

the harbor of Newport was blockaded by the Britisli fleet, 
that effectually bari'ed coniinerce and endeavored to prevent 
all interstate coHinninication by water. Reckless feats were 
performed and si)iri<ed fights were fon^'ht that are nn- 
chroniclcd, but the capture of the Bi-itish sloop of war 
the '* Gaspe" ))y a handful of fishermen armed with stones 
is a matter of history, that showed the courage and deter- 
mination of the Americans when they were g'oaded to de- 
fend themselves against the aggressions of the petty officials 
sent to rule them. 

But three years before, in 17G9, tlie connnander in the 
joroud British navy was overcome by a shower of stones. 
Another fight took place in New^^ort harbor between the 
fishermen of the place and the crew of the sloop " Liberty," 
a revenue cutter that had seized some coasters from Con- 
necticut and carried them into the harbor. The natives 
took the part of their fellow-countrymen, so boarded the 
" Liberty," overcame her crew, cut her cables, and aban- 
doned her. The " Liberty" drifted into Brenton's Cove, 
where she was again boarded, her masts were cut away, her 
armament was thrown overboard, and she was scuttled 
and again set adrift. An unusually high tide floated the 
sloop, so she drifted to Goat Island, where she was struck 
by lightning and burned. 

Among the historic vessels that have sailed into New- 
port harbor was the ship " Endeavor," in which Captain 
Cook circmxmavigated the world in 1768. She had passed 
through many adventures, and was finally purchased in 
1790 by Captain William Hay den, of New Bedford, who 
sailed for Newport with a cargo of oil consigned to the well- 
known finn of Gibbs & Channing. She arrived safely, but 
was then discovered to be unseaworthy and aUowed to fall 
to pieces, although not before part of the carving on the 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

stern and pieces of the hulk had been secured by relic- 
hunters. 

Newport's trade with Africa, the West Indies, and other 
distant parts of the world made her merchants wealthy 
men ; but not contented with sending their vessels on long 
voyages, they established a line of packets to New York, 
Boston, and Charleston. Vessels also ran at intervals to 
Philadelphia, the favorite ship in 1772 being the " Peace 
and Plenty," while the " Governor Gerrard," the " Olive 
Branch," and the " Thetis and Hermes" plied between 
Charleston and Newport. As early as the beginning of the 
eighteenth century the favorite route between New" York 
and Boston was via Newport, which was quite as well 
patronized as at the present day. 

After the establishment of the government of the United 
States commerce became more secure, and early in the nine- 
teenth century the packet sloop " Golden Age" ran regu- 
larly between Newport and New York, a distance of one 
hmidred and sixty-five miles. She was owned by Captain 
Perry, who was also the proprietor of some stages called 
" the commercial line," running daily between Boston and 
Newport. The vessels sailmg on this route were built for 
speed and carried but little freight, which was despatched 
by slower boats owned by the same company. The " Golden 
Age" in particular was so fast that when the wind was 
northeast at Newport she frequently reached Peck Slip, 
New York, in sixteen or seventeen hours, and made the 
same time when coming in the opposite direction if the 
wind was from the southwest. 

The first large steamboats that were built to ply at night 
and were provided with berths for passengers ran from 
New York to Albany on the Hudson River and from the 
former place to Newport via Long Island Sound. To-day 



IHK BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NEWPORT 

these great vessels are the size of those that first crossed the 
Athuitic Ocean, and it is surprising liow they wind tlieir 
way through the narrow diannel at Hell Gate that connects 
the Sound with the harbor of New York. The " Provi- 
dence," which is the newest and largest vessel of the fleet, 
surpasses all others e\'er built for this service. The 
" Franklin" and " Empire State," which were the great 
boats of the early service, were cockle-shells compared to 
those of to-day. The latter was partially destroyed by fire 
in 1848, and the tragedy of the " Lexington," that was 
burned to the water's edge, will never be forgotten. It hap- 
pened on the night of January 13, 1840, when almost every 
person on board perished. Another boat, the "Atlantic," 
was wrecked in Long Island Sound, and for some strange 
i-eason the bell of the boat floated on the rocks, where it 
caught and was tolled l)y the waves. It remained in this 
position for many months, its ghostly voice sending a 
warning far over the water. 

The fleet that replaced these early boats are still remem- 
bered by the old inhabitants of Newport, who love to recall 
the " Bay State," the " Empire State," the " State of 
Maine, ' ' and the ' ' Metropolis, ' ' built in 1853. These steam- 
boats ran in connection with a small railroad, the old 
coaches of which were built on the English plan and lined 
with gray cloth. 

As early as 1799 Newport petitioned the Secretary of 
the Navy to place a dock-yard in her harbor. This petition 
was not granted, but the government of the United States 
selected Newport harbor for one of its princi]xil naval 
stations, so there is seldom a da}' when there is not a 
wicked-looking cruiser waiting for her torpedoes from the 
government station on (ioat Island or a lively tor]ie(lo-boat 
skimming the waters at an astonishing si)ee(l. The naval 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

war college is at Coasters Island, where a training-school 
for sailors has lately been established. A coaling-station 
has also been planned on the northern part of Aqiiidneck. 
This may be in connection with the mine that is on the 
island, which perhaps may be profitably worked under the 
superintendence of the government. 

Coal was discovered at Portsmouth soon after the coloni- 
zation of Rhode Island, for the Boston Post-Boy and Ad- 
vertiser, November 5, 1764, states : 

" We hear from Newport on Rhode Island that a very valuable 
mineral of the Coal Kind is discovered within the Limits of that Town 
in Land belonging to Captain Benjamin Almy. Upon repeated Trials 
it is found to be very good Fuel Emitting an intense Heat and more 
durable than any of the Coal imported, and there is no doubt of its 
Answering many Valuable Purposes. The Inhabitants are well pleased 
with this Discovery at a Time when the Scarcity of Cash and Decline 
of Trade seems to be a Universal Complaint. ' ' 

This, then, seems to refer to the vein that has been 
worked from tune to tune, and is probably the earliest pub- 
lic record of its discovery. In 1808 some specimens of this 
coal were offered to an expert who made the following 
report: "At the general conflagration of the universe the 
most secure place to be found would be the coal-mine at 
Portsmouth, Rhode Island." After this opinion the mine 
was not worked by the owners. 

The pleasure-yachts that skim past Castle Hill and the 
Dmnplings make Newport harbor the liveliest one on the 
Atlantic coast, and when a regatta is being sailed it is diffi- 
cult to imagine a more picturesque scene. These vessels 
with their snow-white sails are among the few that recall 
that time-honored mode of progression. There are still 
some sloops and brigs with their masts that haunt Narra- 
gansett Bay, but they become scarcer every year ; yet some- 



!>*>: 






THK BKAUriFUL HARBOR OF NKWRORl" 

times the beautiful sifj;lit of a sclioouer with sails sot wiu*; 
aud wing tlyiucj before the wind rejoices the eyes of those 
who (lelii^ht in time-honored customs. 

While Narragansett Bay is one of the most attractive 
pleasure cruising grounds on the Atlantic coast, the harljor 
of Newport is one of the best roadsteads in the world, as it 
is sheltered by the high land that makes the southern i)art 
of Aquidncck famed for its picturesque beauty. The har- 
bor is the background of a busy scene during the summer 
months, particularly when the New York Yacht Club ap- 
points it for its yearly rendezvous. Then the white sails 
crowd into Breuton's Cove and steam- or sailing-boats vie 
with each other in their spotless brilliant appearance, while 
the blue-and-red pennant flies above the private one of the 
owner. 'J'he naphtha or steam launches that ])ly between the 
yachts and club-house are as well polished as the boats to 
which they belong, adding much to the excitement and bustle 
as they flit rapidly in and about the fleet. 

Man}' fei'ry-boats move across the waters at stated in- 
tervals. Tlici-c are the " Conanieut" and " Beaver Tail," 
that run hourly between Jamestown, on Conanieut Island, 
and Newport. They are clumsy-looking craft, but conve- 
niently arranged for the transportation of drays and car- 
riages as well as foot-passengers. The trip across the bay 
in one of these })oats is a delightful one. It pushes out from 
the foot of Pelliam Street and runs due north between Coat 
Island and the city, affording a good view on the right hand 
side of the ([Tiaint old houses, rising one a])ove the other on 
the hill-side, overtopped by the spire of Trinity Church, 
with its golden diadem glittering in the sun. To the left is 
the torpedo station on Goat Island, where the commonplace, 
ugly quarters that have l)een built for the officers and men 
strike a jai'iing note in tlie beautiful scene. Under the leu 

105 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of the island lie the slim black boats that resemble sea 
monsters. When they start on a run up the bay long 
streamers of black smoke mark their progress, making the 
torpedo-boats look wicked even when on a peaceful cruise. 

As the ferry-boat roixnds the breakwater, on which is 
the light-house, the steering wheel is rapidly spun, making 
the boat turn sharply westward and pass to the " s'uth'ard" 
of Rose Island, with its quaintly shaped beacon, to steam 
directly for Conanicut. Far to the northeast the outlines of 
the United States government buildings on Coasters Island 
can be seen. Gould and Prudence Islands peep from the 
background, while to the south the gray walls of Fort 
Adams and the new fortification on the Dumplings rise on 
either side of the strait that connects the bay with the ocean. 

There was once a small, untrustworthy pile of stones 
called Fort Brown, that was built during the war of 1812 
for the protection of Newport harbor. It was perched on 
the pile of peculiarly rounded rocks that had been nick- 
named by the natives the Dvunplings, which forms the lower 
cape of Conanicut, and this name was given to the little 
oval-shaped fort that could have afforded scanty protection 
to the entrance of the harbor at any time, and has been con- 
denmed and removed by the government, to be replaced by 
a strong fortification. The lovers of ruins and the pic- 
turesque have mourned over the destruction of old Fort 
Dumpling, biit their feelings were neither consulted nor 
considered. It is to be hoped that the fish that have always 
haunted these rocks will not be driven away by the so-called 
improvements. 

There are three government stations in Newport harbor, 
all of them I'eached by water, although two of them are 
connected with the main-land and are accessible from the 
town. But the shortest and easiest route is by the govern- 

106 



THli BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NFWPORr 

ment launches or small freight-boats that ply between these 
stations and Newport. The oldest of them is Fort Adams, 
on the site of Govei-nor IJreiiton's farm. Jt has been en- 
larged several times, as it was originally only intended as a 
garrison for three thousand men. The boat connecting it 
with the city of Newport skirts to the north of the Lime 
Kocks, running iK'twccu tlieni and (}oat Island directly 
across Brenton's Cove to the government dock on the east- 
ern part of tlie Point. The cove is usually crowded with 
yachts during the smimier, and as the launch threads its 
way among them the trim craft win many admiring if not 
envious remarks. 

This trip across the southern x)art of the harbor affords 
a good view of the lower streets of the town. King Park is 
on Wellington Avenue bordering the bay. It was for many 
years an unsightly marsh \mtil a scientific simimer resident 
saw i)ossibilities in the swamp and money was raised by 
private persons in order that it should be reclaimed, after 
which it was turned over to the corporation for the use of 
the public. A dismantled pier at the foot of the avenue is 
called Chastellux's Landing, for it is a matter of tradition 
that many of the French troops landed on this spot. Hali- 
don Hill rises from the water directly behind the Park. 
This hill is well covered with pretty villas belonging to the 
Hartshorn estate. Mr. Lorillard Spencer's house lies to the 
east of Mrs. French's mansion, and both houses can be seen 
from the boats on the ba}'. 

The half-dozen favored sites that conniiand a beautiful 
view of the harbor between the Lime Rocks and Brenton's 
Cove are owned by Mr. Sidney "Webster, of New York, Mr. 
Arthur Kemp, Mrs. Henry White, whose husband is min- 
ister from the United States to Italy, Mrs. Clark, and Mr. 
E. D. Morgan, so well known in the yachting woild. 

lOT 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

The launch belonging to the torpedo station on Goat 
Island has but a short dash of half a mile to make in the 
land-locked harbor, as it lies directly in front of the main 
streets in Newport. The station has no water supply of its 
own, depending on a pipe service from the city, but during 
the severe winter of 1904-05 this failed, and the station was 
cut off from the main-land by the ice. It was wuth difficulty 
that tanks of water were sent to Goat Island, while the per- 
sons stationed there were seriously inconvenienced by the 
rigorous weather in many other ways. It seems a pity that 
this historic island should have lost its identity and name 
that is now but seldom heard. It has not only been the site 
of many historic incidents, but was for years a favorite 
playground for the townspeople of Newport. In 1800 the 
United States government ordered a survey made of it by 
Major Louis Tousard, the skilful French engineer, who built 
the original Fort Adams. 

The boat runnmg between Coasters Island and Newport 
has a trip of a mile and a half directly north, that runs past 
Washington Street, lined with old houses, the wharves be- 
longing to each place jutting into the water directly under 
their eaves. The boat passes Long Wharf, around which all 
the memories of aquatic Newport of early days linger. 
Here the two frigates built by Ehode Island hove down. 
They Avere named the ** General Greene" and the *' Wash- 
ington." They were among the first vessels of the Ameri- 
can navy. 

On Long Wharf were the counting-houses of Lopez and 
Gibbs & Channing, and close to them the first factories 
established in the colony were erected. Generally some of 
the large steamboats belonging to the Old Colony line are 
lying in the dock. As the launch moves rapidly past the 
shore the outlines of old Fort Greene can be descried by 

108 



THK Hl.AUriFUI. HARBOR OF NlsWl'ORT 

those ac(|uaiiitc(l willi the locality. It was thrown up in one 
night in ITTli and guns brought to bear on the British man- 
of-war *' Scarborough," forcing her to slip her ca])les and 
drop down the bay. In 1812 a semicircular brick wall was 
erected and Fort Greene was garrisoned, but it is now a 
ruin. The historic Blue Rocks, where all public baptisms 
take place, and is hallowed by time-honored usage, is close 
to Fort Greene. Mv. Auchincloss at one time owned a beau- 
tiful i)lace here. His son is now living at Hammersmith 
farm. Mr. Maitland's deserted house and that of the old 
Hunter's place skirt the edge of the water, and can be easily 
seen from the boat as it runs rapidly past the frigate moored 
to the wharf that was long since condemned for service, and 
only serves now to instruct the naval apprentices in the use 
of spars and sails. Here is also the famous Spanish cruiser, 
which serves merely as an object-lesson for the boys, since 
she is not seaw'orthy. 

Besides these active little ferry-boats that run every 
hour during the day, there are the freight or excursion boats 
that connect Newi)ort with Block Island, thirty miles south- 
ward far in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as those running 
to Narragansett Pier on the main-land, or to Providence, 
Bristol, Fall River, and Rocky Point. These ])oats are 
crowded with excursionists in the season who flock to New- 
])ort to partake in its pleasui-es liy bathing at Easton's 
beach, driving on Jiellevue Avenue, oi' visiting all the points 
of interest. The Wickford boat ploughs her way daily uj) 
and down the bay, carrying passengers arri\ing by train 
from New York, Providence, and Boston. 

The scene in Newport harbor on a bright warm August 
day is one to enjoy and remember. The little house of the 
New York Yacht Clul), with thv well-known blue-and-red 
burgee flying from the flag-})ole, is crowded with men in 

109 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

yacliting dress or naval uniform, for the officers of the fleet 
usually embark from the club float. The picturesque cos- 
tumes of men and women add touches of color to the already 
brilliant scene. The landing stage is surrounded with steam 
and naphtha launches, trim gigs, or yawls waiting for their 
loads, each with a smart little flag waving in the breeze. So 
many yachts cover the waters and are crowded so closely in 
the harbor that it seems surprising that any could have 
picked up a good anchorage. As the huge white sails spread 
to catch the breeze, the private pennant of the owner flies 
ovit and the beautiful vessel moves off slowly at first and 
then more swiftly, threading her way through the crowd 
with incredible accuracy, skimming the water as if alive 
and endowed with sense and feeling. 

The parties on board these pleasure-boats echo the tastes 
of the owners. Some are devoted to sport such as racing or 
deep-sea fishing ; others give magnificent entertainments to 
the smart set, when the cabins are given up to feasting and 
the decks to dancing. Many yachtsmen use their vessels for 
private clubs, where business can be discussed, or pleasant 
games of sniff, poker, whist, or bridge are played on the 
deck under an awning or in the cabins. During race-week 
all the yachts are filled with a pleasure-seeking throng, too 
many of them finding, on a closer acquaintance with Father 
Neptune, that he exacts a heavy tribute. One of the great 
ocean races disappointed the crowd, but the large steam 
yachts went to sea day after day even when the weather was 
too stormy to permit the contest or there was no wind to fill 
the sails. The amusement-hunting set found themselves 
bored and retreated to the cabin, where they played bridge 
all day. On their return some one asked, anxiously, ' ' Who 
won?" The answer Avas, "Oh! Miss Chose; she held all 
the cards." 



THK BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF NKWRORT 

The great steam-yaehts are as liaiidsoiiic in tlieir own 
way as the sailing-vessels, ^\'llen Afr. .1. I'ierpont JNIor- 
gan's " Uorsaii-," Hying hei- red signal, on which are the 
ereseent and the eross, comes into the harlxn-, yachtsmen 
feel that tlie season is dnly open. Uomniodore (ierry's 
" Electra" sometimes winters in Newport, to the delight of 
the old salts, for it hrings work to them during a dull time of 
year. The great vessel is perfect in her appointments and 
M-ell fitted for the delightful parties often given on board 
by the hospitable owner, who has inherited the rare talents 
of his ancestors for entertaining, their houses having been 
for generations the centre of gayety in New York. Mr. F. 
W. Yanderbilt's " Conqueror" does not haunt the shores 
of Aquidneck as she does those of the Hudson, where her 
lozenged flag is well known as it flies between New York and 
Rhinebeek, where the owner has a beautiful country place 
on what was once jiai-t of the Livingston Manor. The 
" Marietta," belonging to Mr, Robert N. Carson, of Phila- 
delphia, is one of the fleet that calls forth admiration, 
sharing it with Mr. John Jacob Astor's '' Nourmahal," that 
is such a familiar craft in the harbor, and tries its speed 
with Mr, Berwind's " Truant." Mr, William K, Yander- 
bilt's ** Yaliant" has not appeared at Newport lately, but 
she, with Mrs. Goelet's " Nahma" and Mr. James Gordon 
Bennett's " Lysistrata," make long sea-voyages, and wdiile 
in foreign waters their owners are frequently the hosts of 
royalty. 

The cup races off Newport are always gala occasions in 
the town, when tlie liai'lxu- is ci-owded witli vessels of all 
sizes. The Brenton Reef cup was presented by ex-Commo- 
dore James Gordon Bennett in 1871, and was offered to the 
yachts of all nations to be sailed for in an ocean i-ace, on a 
course from the light-.ship off Newport to and around the 
111 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

light-sliip off Sandy Hook and outside of Long IsLaud and 
return. This cup is generally sailed for during the cruise 
of the Yacht Club. The Goelet cup is another stirring event 
of the season, when such boats as Mr. Henry Sheaff Red- 
mond's "Ailsa" compete, while the " Reliance," that is the 
champion winner, and other vessels take part in the race. 
The little " thirty-footers," as they are called, have numer- 
ous contests all through the summer, and there is no prettier 
sight than to watch from Conanicut Mr. Agassiz's " Kirin," 
Mr. Vauderbilt's " Virginia," Mr. Reginald Norman's 
" Wing and Wing," with many others, skimming lightly 
over the water, the owners sailing their own little craft, 
learning to manage them as skilfully as the Messrs. Colum- 
bus and Oliver Iselin once sailed the " Pluck and Luck" in 
Long Island Sound. 

There is seldom a bright summer afternoon when there 
is not a yachting party on the bay given by the owners whose 
ambition does not lead them to indulge in racing, but like 
sailing quietly in the harbor. Among these demure yachts- 
men is Mr. W. W. Tompkins, whose " Monteceto" affords a 
comfortable home when her owner deserts his house on 
Bellevue Avenue. Generally one or more of the Atlantic 
Squadron lie beyond Goat Island, looking even more spick 
and span than the well-polished private vessels. The ad- 
mirals and other officers are noted for their hospitality, and 
many delightful entertainments are given on board. A 
fashionable belle was lately being shown over one of the 
cruisers, when she innocently asked " the length of the 
vessel," She was immediately invited to the mess-room, 
and to her surprise was handed a cocktail and told that she 
had used the slang expression for asking for a drink. 

The lights at night, when even the smallest boat hangs 
out a warning signal, make the harbor quiver with rays that 



THIi BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OF Nl<:WPORT 

arc reflected by the water and echoed by the pharos that 
flash thoir beains from the different stations, while the lights 
from the town on the hill-side ripple and sparkle respon- 
sively. The search-lights on the men-of-war or at Fort 
Adams ilhuninate the whole scene, which is like fairy-land, 
particularly wlion the moon and stars peep from behind a 
gray veil of mist. 

Newport harbor has been the scene of many contests be- 
sides the peaceful cup-races. One of the first was the open- 
ing figlit of the war of the Rebellion, when the " Gaspe" 
was captured and burnt. But in 1861 the government de- 
cided that Newport offered more shelter to the cadets of the 
United States Naval Academy than its home at Annapolis. 
The senior classes were graduated and ordered on the dif- 
ferent war-vessels, while the younger classes were placed on 
the" Constitution" and" Santee" to sail for Newport. The 
former vessel lay in Brenton's Cove all smumer, while the 
officers and midshipmen were quartered in the caissons at 
Fort Adams. The boys were exercised daily on the old ship 
or paraded with the troops stationed in the fort. One of the 
largest hotels in the place was hired by the government and 
was hastily prepared for the winter quarters of the Acad- 
emy. But the Atlantic House, that had been built about 
1840 for a sunnner hotel, was ill adapted for the pur- 
pose. The windows did not fit the casements, the walls were 
thin, and even with a large heating apparatus the boys suf- 
fered considerably in their quarters. The Atlantic House 
stood on the crest of Pelham Street, at the corner of Belle- 
vue Avenue, facing the Stone Mill. It was removed many 
years since, and nothing remains but the memories of its 
white fat^ade with huge pillars supporting an overhanging 
roof. Admiral Higginson, Admiral Clark, Admiral Crown- 
insliicld, Admiral Sands, and many others will remember 

» 113 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

their school-days in Newport's old hotel when they were 
dapper and mischievous little middies. 

A well kno'UTi and exj^erieneed yachtsman says of yacht- 
ing at Newport : 

" Newport may be regarded, and justly so, as the Mecca 
of large yachts, and it may be said that one which has not 
ridden at anchor in Newport harbor has not been properly 
presented to nautical society. A fine yacht is inevitably the 
most obvious insignia of wealth which custom has accorded 
to man, and the owner of a Newport palace without one is 
like imto Hamlet left out of the play. 

" The geographical position of Newport is such as to 
prevent her from becoming a commercial mart, which fact 
no doubt contributes to her being the resort of the leisure 
classes. But her harbors are ideal for a select and limited 
number of private boats, and the possibilities in that line 
are taken advantage of. 

' ' Looking down on the inner harbor from Halidon Hill, 
at the southern end of the harbor, one of the most impres- 
sive sights is to watch large steam-yachts swing around 
Fort Adams and gradually slow up to the head of Bren- 
ton's Cove, drop anchor, and fire their guns, indicating 
they are moored. Each yacht seems to assume an indi- 
viduality and dignity of her own as she takes her place 
among her companions. 

'' Mr. Gerry's ' Electra,' with her raking masts and 
stack (or funnel), catches the eye first, glittering with new 
paint and polished brasswork. Mr. John Jacob Astor's 
' Nourmahal, ' the queen of the fleet, rides at anchor with a 
dignity worthy of any owner. Older than most of the 
yachts around her, she has been altered up to date, and is a 
magnificent ship, capable of steaming around the world. 
Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan's ' Corsair' also takes her place, 



THI-: BKAHTIFUL HARBOR OV Nl.WPOR'r 

usually near the lauding. Mr. iVIcxander Van Rensse- 
laer's * May' comes gracefully in beside the ' Nounuahal.' 
Mr. Randal Morgan's ' Waturus' pays a short summer 
visit. Mr. P. A. B. Widener's ' Josephine' comes in time 
for the races. Mr. Thomas Dolan's house-boat also works 
her way along the shore to be with the anointed. The 
' Valiant,' Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt's yacht, is too large for 
the inner harbor, and anchors outside of the torpedo station 
on Goat Island, among the men-of-war, one or more of 
which are usually at Newport during the summer. And so 
we might go on and write a volume on the beautiful costly 
craft which belong to Ne^\'port or are visiting there. 

" The social conditions of the place attract many yachts- 
men who have no residence there, and use their boats as 
their homes, giving the same social functions aboard as 
ashore. The conventionalities of a yacht as a home appeal 
to one desiring an exclusive existence, as by various signals 
displayed at the required time, the owner indicates whether 
he is ashore or aboard, at meals, receiving or not, as it may 
please him ; any transgression of these signals is regarded 
as bad form, and may be treated accordingly. 

" The New York Yacht Club has a wharf and house of 
its own toward the south end of the harbor, the use of which 
it accords yachts of other clubs in first-class standing, by 
courtesy. 

" One of the events of the yachting season is the cruise 
of the New York Yacht Club to Newport. At that time the 
harbor presents a gay appearance, filled with the finest 
pleasure craft in the world, say from one hundred and fifty 
to two himdred boats, with their little launches and row- 
boats plying from yacht to yacht or to shore, as a reception 
or dinner-party on some yacht may require. During this 
visitation an evening is set apart for the illumination of the 
lis 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

harbor, when each yacht is dressed with flags and hun- 
dreds of thousands of electric lights, presenting an effect 
wonderful to view, and enjoyed by all in sight for miles 
around. While at Newport the owners of some yachts en- 
courage their crews by having gig and laimch races, for the 
winners of which prizes are given. 

" On account of the residential conveniences of the par- 
ties interested, and the social and harbor facilities of New- 
port, annual races occur during the season wliich contribute 
greatly to the popularity of the place. Mr. James Gordon 
Bennett was the first to establish this custom, and after that 
Mr. Goelet and Mr. Vanderbilt, and now Mr. John Jacob 
Astor. The prizes are one thousand dollars for schooners 
and five hundred dollars for sloops, represented by a cup. 
The prizes are held by the winners, and do not have to be 
again competed for. During these periods the harbor is 
filled to overflowing with yachts of all kinds, whose owners 
come to view or take part in the races. The harbor is a vast 
forest of masts and rigging, the larger boats anchoring in 
the outer harbor west of Goat Island or off Jamestown 
across the bay. 

" For the past fifteen years, or ever since the lioats used 
for defending the America's cup have been under the man- 
agement of a syndicate of wealthy men of the New York 
Yacht Club, Newport harbor has been the home of their 
wonderful boats. Built at Bristol or elsewhere, they are 
brought to Newport, which becomes their base. Here the 
crews practise day after day, week in and week out, 
' timing up' for the supreme effort off Sandy Hook, when 
they go to New York for the final touches. In later years it 
has been customary to have trial races between the boat 
last built for the purpose and the wiimer of the previous 
America's cup race, in order to prove that the last one built 

116 



THK BI:AUTIFUL harbor of NKWl'OR'l 

is superior and faster than the old victor. These magnifi- 
cent raeing-nuichines, as th(!y practically are, sail out of the 
harhor several times a week, one al'tcr tlic otlier, for a spin 
off Brenton's Reef light-ship, or up tlic bay, according to 
the weather. To an observer these boats })resent a majestic 
and impi'essive sight. Being sloops of the largest tyjio, they 
are recognized at once. Their masts tower higher than any 
others, their canvas fits perfectly, and as they glide silently 
and rapidly along, leaning gracefully over from the wind, 
they seem as visions i-isen from the sea, too beautiful for 
man to have made. With their lofty spread of canvas they 
are long visil)le on tlie horizon, until they blend with the 
hazy distance and disappear into' the element from which 
they seem to have arisen. At the proper time the trial races 
of these boats occur, and the harbor again becomes a forest 
of masts. On the days of these races, and, in fact, all of 
the important races, one of the great sights of Newport is 
to watch the stream of all kinds of boats pass Castle Hill 
on the way to the start, which is iisually at the light-ship. 
From the little sixteen-foot cat-boat to the big Sound 
steamer they all head the same way. The ocean drive is 
thronged with carriages and people afoot who go to see the 
start, and afterwards again to see the finish. 

" Too much praise cannot be given to the body of men 
who foi-m the syndicate to have these yachts built and pre- 
pared for the America's cup races. Upward of half a mil- 
lion dollars are required to make these races the success 
they have been. No effort is spared to have everything as 
correct as possible. Its effect is to command the respect and 
admiration of the whole world, not so much in the sporting 
line as in the idea that what we undertake to do we do right. 
Its effect on the navy and merchant marine is one to exjjand 
ideas and encourage seamen to do their best. 

117 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

" Some of the wealthy residents of Newport enjoy less 
pretentious racing than that of big yachts, and have insti- 
tuted a series of daily races, regardless of wind or weather, 
with what are called thirty-footers, — boats with jib and 
main-sail. These boats are all built from the same model, 
and can stand severe weather, as, being racing-machines, 
they have to. Their skippers are scions of wealthy houses, 
and deserve credit in showing their pluck and zeal in 
coming up to the line daily, no matter how hard it rains or 
blows, and sailing their races as they best can. These boats 
form a little fleet; they start pretty close together, and 
generally keep so throughout their races. This flotilla when 
spread out over the bay, suggests the symmetry of a flock of 
white water-fowls, and the scene presents a combination of 
boats, water, and background, beautiful to behold. As these 
boats are all exactly alike, the gain or loss in speed is a 
matter of handling, depending entirely on the gentleman 
or lady holding the tiller and managing the sails." 

The numerous defences of NewjDort harbor attract atten- 
tion when entering Narragansett Bay. For many years the 
little oval redoubt at the end of Conanicut Island was a pic- 
turesque feature. Its legal name was Fort Brown, but it 
was better known as Fort Dumj)ling, on account of the 
shape of the roimd rocks on which it was perched. It was 
built while John Adams was President, but has never been 
used, and has lately been destroyed by the government, that 
intends replacing the obsolete redoubt with a strong fortifi- 
cation. Castle Hill, on the opposite side of the strait to Fort 
Dumpling, is the home of Professor Agassiz, but it was 
defended by the Indians, who had an earthwork here as 
well as on Miantonomi Hill. During the war of 1812 the 
place was provided with a few guns but no recorded attack 
was made on it at the time. During the Revolution the 

118 



I 



THE BEAUTIFUL HARBOR OE NEWPORT 

British vessels were fired on from Castle Hill and forced 
to anchor out of range. 

Goat Island was fortified during the reign of William 
and Mary. At one time the fort was called after Queen 
Anne. The name was changed in honor of the Hanoverian 
monarch, and became Fort George. Later it was occupied 
by the Provincial government, who, however, in 1775, re- 
moved the platforms and cannon that had been placed in 
the intrenchments by their orders ; a redoubt was plamied 
by IMajor L 'Enfant that was named Fort Wolcott, but the 
designs of the government for this historic island were re- 
peatedly altered initil the fortifications were abandoned and 
the torpedo station was finally located on this favorable site. 

The massive fort erected by the United States at Bren- 
ton's Pomt was originally the site of a smaller defence that 
was built by Le Chevalier Louis de Tousard, a capable 
French engineer officer, who was employed by the Secretary 
of War under President Washington on August 9, 1798, to 
construct the coast defences at Newport, and who planned 
a battery on Brenton's Point and a regular fortification on 
Miantonomi Hill. He also completed Fort Wolcott, that 
had been commenced by Major L 'Enfant. While superin- 
tending this work, Le Chevalier de Tousard and his wife 
lived in Newport, where they were universal favorites. 
Keen sympathy was felt for the gallant Frenchman who had 
come to America a captain of artillery in Comte de Rocham- 
beau's army and lost an arm at the battle of Rhode Island, 
where his brave conduct caused him to be mentioned in 
despatches, and Congress made him a lieutenant-colonel in 
the American army. Marquis de Lafayette also reported 
him for promotion, and his king sent him the higlily prized 
Order of Chevalier de St. Louis. 

While stationed in Newport, on February 19, 1799, Colo- 
ns 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

iiel de Tousard wrote to a friend in Philadelphia, request- 
ing that five hundred poplar trees should be sent to Rhode 
Island, to be used in decorating the grounds at Brentou's 
Point. Continuing: " All our ladies are very busy in 
making great preparations for our commander-in-chief's 
birthday-night next Friday. As to me, I am busy collect- 
ing information for the manner of constructing dry-docks, 
yards, and making plans to prove the possibility of making 
one of Goat Island." 

By the spring of 1799 the work was so far advanced that 
Colonel de Tousard reported to the government that it was 
advisable to give the battery a name, suggesting that of the 
President, and arranged that it should be formally opened 
on the Fourth of July. Imposing ceremonies were planned. 
The militia were called out, and a parade from Newport to 
the fort took place. Some of the guns had been mounted, 
and although the gates of the fort were not in place, arches 
were thrown across the entrance, on which was the in- 
scription — 

" Fort Adams, 
The rock on which the storm will beat." 

As the national flag was unfurled the Chevalier " named 
the fortress," and a salute was fired by the battery that was 
answered by the guns on Goat Island. Colonel de Tousard 
received many honors from his coimtrymen and govern- 
ment, and was, besides, in 1800, made Inspector of Artil- 
lery of the United States, and in 1801 President Adams 
made him lieutenant-colonel commandant of the Second 
Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. He was ordered 
to West Point, and on September 7, 1801, took coimnand 
there. On September 27 he wrote to the Secretary of War 
that on that day the Military Academy there had been 



THK BF.AUTIFUL HARBOR OF NEVVPOR'F 
opcuiod. These iiilerestiiio- i);ipers describing tlio first 
scenes of the military life of the young country, together 
with the commissions signed by Louis XV, and Louis XVI., 
ai-e in possession of descendants, and with his miniature 
and (.ther portraits are owned by Laurette de Tousard Coxe, 
Mrs. Fi-ederick Prime, of J*hiladelphia. 

The original defence was found inadequate, and a larger 
one was planned in 1824, the engineer officer superintending 
the works l^eing one of the earliest graduates of the Military 
Academy at West Point,— Major Totten, who with Ids 
family wei-e i-esidents of Newport for many years. Port 
Adams has l)eeii enlarged and strengthened at different 
times. The road around the outside on the brink of the 
bay gives au mipai-alleled view of the shoi-es of Conanicut 
and Newport TTai-boi'. 







HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 






HE name of Rhode Island and 
^ , . . ,- .^g^^ Providence Plantations was given to 
pife i ■^^^ that ragged-edged portion of the con- 
tment of North America which sur- 
rounds Narragansett Bay and the 
>#v=;^ ' inZXL^W beautiful islands that dot its surface. 
' *'•' "^ ' The double title was peculiar as well 

as misleading, for only a very small portion of the State 
conforms to the geographical description of an island, 
which should be " a body of land entirely surrounded by 
water," since a great part of the colony was on the main- 
land, while " the Providence Plantations" simply de- 
scribed a small locality situated at the head of the bay. To 
add to the confusion, when the independent little colony 
agreed to join the Union, in 1789, it not only jealously 
retained the h3T;)hcnated title, but also two capitals, one of 
them being Providence, on the main-land in Rhode Island, 
the other one Newport, on Aquidneck, or Rhode Island. 

This cumbersome arrangement was adhered to for over 
two hundred and fifty years, but was finally changed about 
the commencement of the twentieth century. When the 
State-House at Newport was abandoned the fantastic title 

123 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

was curtailed, and Providence became the reigning business 
capital of the smallest State in the Union, while Newport 
is self -elected the social capital not only of her own island 
and miniature State, but also maintains a claim to be that 
of the whole Union. 

The island of Aquidneck which is about thirteen miles 
long and three wide, was settled by a body of Englishmen, 
in 1637, who had been driven from the Massachusetts Col- 
ony (to which they had first emigrated) by the narrow- 
minded religious views of the rulers of that community. 
The leaders were stanch Antinomians, whose tenets clashed 
with those of the settlers in various other places, so they 
were forced to wander far from the first settlements in 
order that they might be perfectly independent and able to 
worship God after the dictates of their consciences, and not 
at those of their fellow-citizens. With Dr. John Clark 
and William Coddingion as their leaders, about twenty 
men signed a compact for mutual protection and self- 
government on March 7, 1638, that planned for a settle- 
ment on the Atlantic coast. 

Various locations were discussed, but one after another 
were abandoned when surveying parties had discovered 
that the place selected was either inconvenient or chanced 
to be within the boundaries of the Plymouth Patent. Under 
these circumstances the leaders of the new colony agreed 
to be guided by the advice of Roger Williams, and purchase 
the island of Aquidneck. 

Roger Williams was a young preacher who had emi- 
grated to Salem in 1631. He was the first to teach that 
every man had a right to worship God as he thought fit. 
The bigoted rulers of the Massachusetts Colony by no means 
relished such open defiance of their personal prerogatives, 
and after many discussions and an appeal to the laws which 



HISTORY AND FIRST SKTTLKMENT 

tliey hastily framed to cover the question, tlicy banished 
Williams from the settlement and ordered that lie should 
be sent back to England. This was evidently a terrible 
sentence to the young man, Avho fled from his stern accusers 
and judges to seek shelter with the aborigines, who received 
him kindly and sold him a tract of land on the bay called 
by the name of his friends, — Narragausett. Here, with 
five comrades, Roger Williams fomided the Providence 
Plantations. Many friends joined this settlement, attracted 
by the freedom that was openly accorded to every one to 
follow their own religious views; but even this liberal 
arrangement did not work perfectly well, so every facility 
was given to the friends who wished greater liberty when 
they proposed to found a second town that should have a 
bond of interest with the older establishment, but l)e inde- 
pendent in its local government. 

.\quidneck was purchased from the Sachems of tlie Nar- 
ragansetts the 24th of March, 1637-38, for twenty-three 
broadcloth coats, thirteen hoes, and two torkpes. Various 
deeds exist that show the prices paid at different times for 
the parcels of land. The price of the whole is included in 
this sum, thai was not given all at once, hut little by little. 
What the cash vahu; or meaning of this mysterious word, 
torki)e, can be has been much discussed. Many writers de- 
clare that forty fathoms of white peage was the price of 
the wliole island and for those adjacent " with the grass 
on them." Peage appears to be the shell currency of the 
tribe, which corresponded to the wampiun and seawan of 
the Manhattan and Seawan-ha-ka Indians. For a few coats 
and a handful of shells Canonicus and Miantonomi dis- 
posed of their birthright and agreed to evacuate their 
ancient stronghold, that was built on that part of the island 
now ('allc(l Tonioiiy Hill, on Coddington Point, overlooking 

125 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Narragansett Bay. The men who bought the land made 
immediate preparations for occupying it, and many of 
their descendants are to-day honored citizens of Newport. 
Among them were Philip Sherman, Henry Bull, and Wil- 
liam Dyer, while William Coddington, John Coggeshall, 
William Aspinwall, and others have bestowed their names 
on well-known localities on the island that promise to pre- 
serve their memories for centuries in connection with those 
of the Indian chieftains Canonicus and Miantonomi, of the 
Nantygansicks tribe, as they were at first called. But it 
must be remembered that the land was paid for by a body 
of independent men who at the time received no protection 
from England, the government of which gave no aid to the 
aliens with either money or arms. 

As soon as the agreement for the sale of Aquidneck 
was completed a form of government was arranged and 
the site of a town was selected. The name of the island was 
changed to '' The Isle of Rhodes," which title was selected, 
it is said by some authorities, from a fancied resemblance 
to that of Rhodes, on the coast of Asia Minor. This deri- 
vation for the name is disputed by other writers, who believe 
it to be a variation of the word red, which they declare 
describes the dominant color of the rocks and soil. The 
celebrated Dutch explorer, Adrien Block, called the place 
he discovered and located on the map he sketched of the 
coast Roodt Bylandt; but the earliest Dutch map bearing 
this name was not issued, it is said, until fifteen years after 
the Englishmen on Aquidneck had adopted the name of 
Rhode Island. Mr. Reichman, in his valuable history of 
the State and colony, says, '' Roger Williams, writing in 
1666, remarks, ' Rhode Island, the Isle of Rhodes in the 
Greek language, is an island of roses,' which may easily 
have suggested the name, for even to this day, wherever 



HISTORY AND FIRST SKTTLKMKNT 

nature is left to herself, the rocks close to the ocean are 
covered with great fragrant bushes of wild roses, their 
lovely pink flowers making the scene gay during the month 
of June, when they seem to clothe the gaunt crags with color, 
while in winter, when the whole landscape is a harmony of 
dull bro^^^ls and grays, the red seed-pods add a glint of 
color to the low scheme. Of late years the newly imported 
Japanese roses thrive better in Newport than in any other 
part of the country. The magnificent hedge that flourishes 
within twenty feet of the bleakest part of the island testifies 
to the fact that the home of the roses would be no misnomer 
for this wind-swept island. The seed-pods and foliage of 
this quickly acclimated rose are particularly beautiful at 
Mr. Davis's place at Brenton's Reef, the entrance to Nar- 
ragansett Bay at the termination of Ocean Avenue. 

The first settlers built their log cabins at the Indian vil- 
lage Pocasset, which name was speedily altered to Ports- 
mouth, but Nicholas Easton, with his two sons, Peter and 
John, determined to take up land nearer the ocean, where 
the facilities for fishing and clamming were greater than in 
the upper part of Narragansett Bay. These three men, 
therefore, sailed down the bay, coasting southward, and on 
the 1st of May, 1639, landed at a place they named Coasters 
harbor, where they passed the night. This island, after 
passing through many hands, was eventually purchased by 
the United States government, and is now the site of the 
Naval War College, the Training-School for Naval Appren- 
tices, etc. The following day the three adventurers sailed 
into what is now called Newport harbor, and landed on a 
gravelly beach, about where the foot of Pelham Street is 
at present. They clunbed the steep hill that sheltered the 
land-locked bay and selected the site of the town of New- 
port. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Quite satisfied that they had discovered what would 
prove to be a delightful home, the three men built for them- 
selves a small house on what is now Farewell Street. This 
cabin was accidentally burned down two years afterwards, 
but not before a number of other houses had surrounded it, 
and the infant settlement was well rooted. 

Easton and his sons, with their fellow-colonists, laid 
out the boundaries of Newport in September, 1639, as fol- 
lows: " To begin half a mile beyond the River commonly 
called Sachuis River, being the River that lies next beyond 
Mr. Brenton's Land on the South East Side of the Island 
toward Portsmouth, and so on in a straight line to run 
toward the nearest point of the Brook to the himting Wig- 
wam now standing in the highway between the two towns 
and so by that line to the sea on the North Side of the 
Island." 

At first the colonists of Newport were content with the 
island of Acquidneck, but soon desired to acquire title to 
more land, and on April 17, 1657, Dutch and Coasters 
Islands were purchased from the Indians, and a year after- 
wards those islands were bought by Benedict Arnold, who 
also selected the crown of the hill overlooking Newport, on 
which the old Stone Mill now stands, for his house lot. 
The notorious traitor is not a descendant of Governor 
Arnold, who had no sons. 

On August 6, 1640, or the year after the first settlers 
laid out the boundaries of Newport, Mr. Robert Leuthall 
was invited to take up his abode in the town, to " keep a 
public school for the learning of youth." This was the first 
in that part of the country, antedating the schools in Provi- 
dence by a quarter of a century. Leuthall is described in 
Lechford's " Plaine Dealing" as a " Minister out of office 
and employment, and lives poorly," but he was a man of 





,.'\^^^. 



NEWPORT: OUR S<.KIAL CAPITAL 

Quite £.atisfie<i that rn ' nad discovered what would 
prove to be a delightf i i -nini, the three men built for them- 
selves ia small houst- -> • iiat is now Farewell Street. This 
cabin was ac<-'. ' ,rned down two years afterwards, 

but not befur of other houses had surrounded it, 

and the infas-; . ::ient was well rooted. 

Easton .n is sons, with their fellow-colonists, laid 
out the bi»u] af i..* of Newport in September, 1639, as fol- 
lows: '" T' !- ,:ui half a mile beyond the River commonl}- 
called 8'uh,i> Liver, being the River that lies next beyond 
Mr. Breiito'j ">^ Land on the South East Side of the Island 
toward Portsmouth, and so on in a straight line to run 
toward the nearest point of the Brook to the hunting Wig- 
wam now stajiding in the highway between the two towTis 
and so by tSiat line to the sea on the North Side of the 
Island." 

At first T'le colonists of Newport Avere content with the 
island of A luidneck, but soon desired to acquire title to 
more land, iuid on April 17, 1657, Dutch and Coasters 
Islands were ;mrchased from the Indians, and a year after- 
wards those islands were bought by Benedict Arnold, who 
also selected tIip crown of the hill overlooking Newport, on 
which the old Stone Mill now stands, for his house lot. 
The notorious traitor is not a descendant of Governor 
Arnold, who had no sons. 

On August 6, 1640, or the year after the first settlers 
laid out the boundaries of Newport, Mr. Robert Leuthall 
was invited to take up his abode in the town, to '* keep a 
public school for the learning of youth." This was the first 
in that part of the country, antedating the schools in Provi- 
d#»T>'"*' by a quarter of a century. Leuthall is described in 
I'laine Dealing" as a ** Minister out of office 
ot, and lives poorly," but he was a man of 

11W 



HISTORY AND FIRST Sl-.TTI.I'.M KNT 

education, wlui was well able to f;ive liis scholars a j^ood 
foundation in tlio necessary branches of knowledge, and 
this provision for the pulilic e(hication of children hv a 
male teacher was made at a time when in Enniand Dames 
schools were in vogue, that wen; conducted on the lines 
adopted by the celebrated Goody Two-Shoes. 

As early as March, 1G41, the infant colony adoi)ted what 
is called in the records " a State seal," this being one of 
the first of the New England governments to select the des- 
ignation of " State," and is noteworthy on that account. 

The design was a sheaf of arrows which was })oun(l to- 
gether with a leash, oji which was the motto "Amor Vincit 
Onmia." This motto and heraldic device was selected in 
remenihrance of the challenge that had been sent by the 
Narragansett Indians to the English, which was symboli- 
cally conveyed according to savage custom by a mnnber of 
arrows tied with the skin of a rattlesnake. 

This seal was superseded by a more elaborate design, 
that Avas probably cut in England, which bore the tigure 
of an Indian wdth a bow in his left hand and an arrows in 
his right, with the motto, " Sigillum Prjesid. Concil. Dom. 
Reg. in Xov. Anglia" (The seal of the Presiding Council 
of our Lord the King in New England). In 1686 a new- 
seal and flag were adopted. The former is described as 
" Engraven on one side with his Majesty's effigies standing 
imder a canopy, robed in his royal vestments and crowned, 
with a sceptre in his left hand, the right hand being ex- 
tended toward an Englishman and an Indian, both kneel- 
ing, the one presenting the fruits of the country and the 
other a scroll with this motto : ' Nunquam libertas gratiot 
extat,' with his Majesty's titles around the circumference; 
there being on the other side the King's arms, with the 
garter, crown, supporters, and motto, and this inscrip- 

« 129 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

tion rovmcl the circumference, ' Sigillum Novae Anglise in 
America.' " 

These last seals and devices were assimied, of course, 
after Charles II. came to the throne of England, an event 
of as great importance to the colonies as it was to the 
British islands. 

It was on May 29, 1660, that the king was publicly 
proclaimed, and as soon as the news reached the colonies 
there were great rejoicings, for the settlers felt themselves 
more secure under his government than that of the Lord 
Protector or the Parliament. 

William Brenton had been elected president of the 
Rhode Island Colony in May, 1660, while the people were 
still ignorant of affairs abroad, which were, indeed, so tur- 
bulent that no man in England felt sure when he laid his 
head on his pillow at night what ruler might be on the 
throne the following morning. But when the news that 
Charles had reached London and was acclaimed king pene- 
trated to America the following October, Brenton 's term 
of office terminated abruptly. Still, to prove his loyalty, 
the ex-governor determined to celebrate the event on his 
estate, which was already under cultivation and on which 
a house was being erected. Brenton had purchased a large 
tract of land, the exact boundaries of which are only sur- 
mised, but it may be vaguely stated that the Hammersmith 
farm included that portion of Newport that lies to the west 
of Brenton 's road from the bay to the ocean and the point 
now covered by Port Adams. Huge bonfires were lighted 
on the lime rocks where the light-house is now, and the 
townspeople assembled along the banks bordering Brenton 's 
Cove to admire the illmnination. Some mischievous young- 
sters dressed a figure that they placarded with Cromwell's 
name. This effigy was carried in procession up and down 

130 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

the shore aud through the narrow laues of the hamlet, fol- 
lowed by a man dressed in black, as Satan, and with a long 
tail, which was so arranged that with it the devil conld prod 
the Lord Protector from time to tune, greatly to the delight 
of the crowd. 

A band accompanied the mummers carrying rude, noisy 
instruments, such as hand-bells, whistles, fifes, and drimis, 
while some butcher boys made a frantic display with their 
cleavers and bones. 

A wit composed the following lines, that were gravely 
recited while the crowd prepared a great bonfire, on top 
of which the effigy of Cromwell was then flung. 

" 01(1 Croinwi'll ! man! youf time is come, 
We tell it here with fife and drum ; 
And Satan's hand is on your head, — 
He 's come for you before you 're dead ; 
And on his spear he '11 throw you in 
The very worst place ever seen; 
For good King Charles is on his throne, 
Aud Parliament now you'll let alone." 

The first public entertainment at Newport was a great 
success, and shows how much lighter-hearted its settlers 
were than the grave Puritans of the Massachusetts Colony ; 
but the men of Rhode Island had important matters under 
consideration, for which they were framing wise, far-reach- 
ing laws. Some of these provided for religious toleration, 
others for the protection of fishing rights, so that to-day 
the owners of the handsome estates on the borders of the 
ocean cannot prevent free access to the edges of the cliffs, 
while the education of the children of the colony was under- 
taken by the town government. 

Many families followed those of Easton, Brenton, etc., 
and a thriving plantation was fij-mly established on the 

131 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

southwest end of the island overlooking the harbor. It is 
described as being " on both sides of the spring and by the 
sea southward- ' ' This important little fountain was on the 
west side of what is called Spring Street, and most of the 
houses were built conveniently close to the spring. The 
town Avas regularly planned by Easton and his fellow- 
adventurers, four acres being allotted for each house lot. 
Commons were set apart for flocks and herds close to the 
first houses, but as soon as Prudence, Rose, and Goat Islands 
were purchased from the Indians they were rented to dif- 
ferent people for pasture-lands under town regidations, and 
they continued to be used in this way until the British men- 
of-war began to visit Narragansett Bay, ostensibly for the 
protection of the colonists, but even before the war of the 
Revolution these unprotected flocks were carried off and 
killed to provision the ships. The owners vainly protested 
and demanded payment for their property, but were finally 
forced to carry the animals to the main-land, where they 
coxdd not so easily be captured, or else allow themselves to 
be robbed, for the only satisfaction they received was that 
they were acting contrary to the Scriptures, that said, 
" Lead us not into temptation." 

By 1650 the two principal land-owners of Newport, 
who were William Brenton and William Coddington, had 
brought many acres under cultivation. The estate of the 
latter ran from the little neck of land now called Codding- 
ton 's Point, on the harbor side, to Seaconnet River. There 
were runs for sheep on the hills, fine meadows for cattle, 
fish-ponds, or trout streams, making the place a rival to 
ducal estates in England. William Coddington stocked his 
fai-m with the best ewes, cows, and mares he could import, 
and used all known farming devices to improve his prop- 
erty, selling the surplus stock to his neighbors on the island, 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

or wliou opportunity offered he despatched vessels to the 
West Indies loaded with cattle, which Avere exchanged for 
sugar, molasses, and nun. 

Besides the fami, Coddingtou had a house in Marlbor- 
ough Street, that was not removed until 1835. He seems 
to have been an ambitious man and anxious to become the 
ruler of Rhode Island. For this purpose he went to Eng- 
land and secured a charter granting liim wide privileges 
over the islands of Aquidneck and Cauouicut, which he 
hoped would result in his being proclaimed king of Lesser 
Britain. At this time he was already governor of the Prov- 
ince, but on his return in August, 1651, his independent 
neighbors revolted, which made Coddington take a hurried 
journey to Boston, with the hope that during his absence 
his fellow-citizens would forget their grievances. But they 
wisely took advantage of the absence of their ambitious 
governor to hold elections and pass resolutions that con- 
vinced him his scheme had failed ; accordingly he resigned 
his commission from the English government on March 11, 
1656. 

Another great estate was that of William Brenton, wlio 
was made president of the colony May, 1660. He was an 
Englishman from Hammersmith, England, who landed in 
Boston in 1634, with a commission from the government of 
surveyor-general. In 1638 he arrived in New^iort, and 
bought, as has been already stated, the end of Aquidneck 
Island, that is bounded by Narragansett Bay on the iiorth 
and tlie Atlantic Ocean on the soutli. Cherry and Price's 
Neck, Castle Hill, Beacon Hill, and lA.rt Adams aiv all 
included in the original purchase. 

In memory of his birth})lace, (Jovernor Brenton named 
his estate Hannnersmith, and planned extensive improve- 
ments. Lai'gc tirchai'ds were planted and a beautiful gar- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

den laid out that speedily bloomed with rare flowers, the 
seeds of which had been imported. It is perhaps to this 
garden that we owe the daisies that grow so freely now in 
the United States, but which were not native flowers. The 
Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum is called " day's eye," be- 
cause it opened at sunrise, following it to catch every ray, 
and closing at sundown. In some localities it is called En- 
dicott's flower, as it is said Governor Endicott introduced 
it in his colony. 

Some authorities state that Brenton's house, called by 
him Hammersmith, was built of brick he brought from Bos- 
ton. It had four chuxmeys, which made the people of New- 
port nickname it " The Chimneys," by which cognomen it 
is generally remembered. The date on the chimneys was 
1638, but this was the year Newport was settled, as well as 
that in which Brenton was banished from Massachusetts, 
when he, with his wife, moved to Rhode Island. It may 
perhaps have been intended to commemorate the year of 
their marriage, but has misled many historians. The house 
was one hundred and fifty feet square. The hall that ran 
through the centre was sixteen feet wide. A flat roof was 
surrounded with a balustrade, from which there was a mag- 
nificent view. This house was the first of the great mansions 
that have made Newport famous. 

At the outbreak of the Indian war the settlers on the 
main-land were driven from their homes. William Brenton 
hospitably invited many of the families from Warwick to 
take up their residence on his estate. Some were accommo- 
dated in the various cottages on the demesne, but the great 
house itself was crowded with these unfortunates, and it 
was put into condition to stand a siege in case a raid on 
Newport was made by the savages. 

Brenton's town property rose from the bay to Spring 



kit -h aC 




HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

Street as far as Mary Street. As he was a surveyor holding 
a commission from the king, he was called upon to lay out 
Ne\vport, and it was he that cut the two streets, — Thames, 
running along the water's edge, and Spring Street, that is 
parallel to it, which took its name from the spring found l)y 
the first settlers. 

The Hammersmith estate was divided into east and west 
farms. The road now called by Brenton's name Avas laid 
out across the rocks from the bay to the ocean. On Price's 
Xeck a farm-house was built to accommodate the family 
shoemaker, and this cottage is still standing, its venerable 
appearance offering a strong contrast to the handsome man- 
sions that are close to it. 

Jaheel Brenton, the elder son of William, lived at 
Rocky or East Farm, and houses for herdsmen or farmers 
were scattered over the six or eight divisions of the proj)- 
erty, that were laid out as fields, meadows, or pasture-lands, 
on which browsed eleven thousand sheep, thirty head of cat- 
tle, seventy horses, besides hogs, chickens, etc. There is not 
a trace of the orchards planted on the ocean edge by Jaheel 
Brenton, although trees were once so plentiful that one 
point was called Cherry Neck, from the trees that covered it. 
This son abandoned the Rocky Farm house after the death 
of his father, and lived at the Chimneys imtil he moved to 
Boston, where he died in 1732, but he was buried near the 
site of Fort Adams. 

His nephew, Jaheel Brenton, lived in Thames Street, 
and also owned a house on Mary Street, now occupied by 
the Young Men's Christian Association. He married, May 
30, 1715, Frances Oranston, and had by her fifteen children. 
After her death he married Mary, widow of George Scott, 
and had seven more children. Many of their descendants 
still live in Newport. 

135 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

When Governor John Wiiithrop, of Connecticut, sailed 
for England on the 21st of July, 1661, he carried with him 
a long letter to the government from some of the puritanical 
offshoots of the Ph^nouth Colony, who, livhig close to the 
borders of the Rhode Island settlement, wished to conduct 
their government after fashions of their own. In order to 
prejudice the home officials against the peaceful residents 
of Providence Plantations and Newport, these neighbors 
wrote a long and by no means complimentary letter to the 
Lords of Trade, saying, — 

" Roade Island is (pardon necessity's word of truth) a rodde to 
those that love to live in order, a road, refuge, asylum to evil livers. 
What lives thrive amongst themselves may be judged from vs^hat flows 
from others with ready entertainment. Each nature covets seeks de- 
lights in the Congregation of that which is homogenial to it. The 
public record what malefactors, what capital offenders have found it 
their unhallowed sanctuary. . . . They make religion the Indians scorn 
by working and drinking on the Lord's Days; on which they made 
some of them a great canoe; and called it Sunday by the name of the 
day on which they made it. The Indians say ' Either they are not 
English or other English lie in saying there is a Sunday. ' ' ' 

This curious letter does not appear to have produced 
the hoped-for effect in England, for the charter of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations was not revoked, and in 
1663 the colony was especially honored by receiving from 
the mother country a flag for its particular use. At that 
time Benedict Arnold (the elder) was governor of the 
Providence Plantations, and by his orders the handsome 
piece of bunting was hoisted over the State-House in New- 
port, where, as it fluttered in the breeze, it might well be 
seen by the envious on the main-land who had wished to 
wrest the power from the colonists who had braved dangers 
and hardships to live in peace and charity with all men. 

136 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

Til is Hag- was treasured for one hundred and thirteen 
years; it was used on all state occasions from the time 
of the adoption of the charter, Wednesday, November 24, 
1663, imtil the Declaration of Independence in July, 1776, 

During the time the British occupied Ne\vi3ort the Col- 
lector of Customs in the Colony, John Wanton, concealed 
the flag in the garret of his house behind a chimney, where 
he contrived a brick recess, in wdiich he built some of the 
family silver, jewelry, and other relics, that were only re- 
covered accidentally after lying hidden and forgotten nearly 
one hundred years. 

Many of the Indians who had sold their ownership of 
the island of Aquidneek did not desert the soil, but remained 
and pursiied their ordinary life of hunting and fishing. 
The white people were friendly, and glad to avail them- 
selves of the knowledge of the natives, who understood the 
use of herbs in sickness and had many cunning arts to en- 
snare the wild beasts, birds, and fish. There was plenty of 
hard work to be done in the way of clearing brush, pre- 
paring the groimd for tillage, besides housework, and there 
were few hands to do it before the first cargo of negroes 
came from Africa. At first the Indians were rewarded for 
driving ih(\ wolves fi-om the limits of the little town; then 
they were cnqjloyed to cleai- out the swamps, that were 
tangled with grape-vines, <-at-brioi-, and wliortleberry 
bushes, for the new-comers found it iiii])ossil)le to cut a path 
through tliem. One story is told of a clever red man who 
agreed to get rid of the tanglewood within twenty-four 
hours for a unifonn coat gayly bedecked with brass buttons. 
The bargain was made, and the white man was surprised 
when, instead of clipping and cutting the ])rusliwood, the 
Indian quietly set it on fire and sat down to watch it burn 
to ashes. The gaudy coat was reluctantly given to him, and 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

was immediately torn into strips to make a gay fringe for 
a breecli-clout, while the buttons were strung on horsehair 
for a necklace. 

The Newport houses were at first but rough shanties, 
but as the inhabitants grew wealthy they imported bricks 
from the Dutch or Puritan colonies for their chimneys. 
The mills soon turned out fine oak planks for boards, 
while the smiths made rude but serviceable iron nails. 
Specimens of these heavy oak beams with the marks of 
the axe still on them are to be found in the old Newport 
houses, and probably the one at Price's Neck is one of the 
oldest and most typical that remains. 

The aborigines foimd on Aquidneck by Brenton, Eas- 
ton, and their comrades were part of the powerful tribe 
of the Narragansett Indians who occupied the shores of 
the bay now bearing their name, together with all the large 
or small islands in it. There were many subdivisions or 
families which were part of the tribe, but they were scat- 
tered too far apart to meet more than once a year for a 
grand pow-wow. Each family had its own head man, chief, 
or sachem, and many of these companies had names of 
their own that are puzzling to the student, but all owed 
allegiance to one king, and at his command would band 
together for purposes of war. 

At the time of the arrival of the white man the great 
chief Canonicus was as fierce and warlike as any of the 
savages over whom he ruled. Still, he was intelligent and 
capable of appreciating the superior education of the white 
men who sought his protection from the despots of their 
own nation, who had so cruelly thrust out Roger Williams 
and his friends from their community. 

But a short time before the whites wandered to the 
shores of Narragansett Bay a fierce battle had been fought 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

among the iiatious, that resulted in unpreeedeuted slaugh- 
ter, and some epidemic had broken out in the tribe, both of 
which eircmnstances had contributed to lessen their num- 
bers and strength. One great struggle had taken place on 
Aquidneck that had decided the supremacy of Canonitnis's 
tribe and established his power over the scattered companies 
on the neighboring main-land. Traces of this battle were 
for many years found on Miantonomi Hill, that was the site 
of the Indian encamj^ment. But after the struggle was over 
and the enemy driven from the island the Narragansetts 
were easily held in check by their chieftains, and devoted 
themselves to sport, the country being stocked with wild 
animals that afforded the red men an easy livelihood. So 
by the time Eoger Williams began his settlement at Provi- 
dence they were eager to acquire civilized arts and live at 
peace with their fellow-men, whether their complexions 
Avere white or red. 

The Narragausetts were skilled in vai'ious crafts, such 
as basket-making or converting the sea-shells cast on the 
shore into the money that they could readily circulate among 
the inland tribes. With Canonicus and his nephew, Mian- 
tonomi, Williams became most friendly, and by treatmg 
them as his equals he gained and retained their esteem. He 
taught them many simple arts, while learning from them 
the use of herbs or plants that were useful in times of sick- 
ness, besides which Williams was always willing to give a 
fair equivalent when transacting any business with them, 
and by so doing strengthened the bond between them. 

Before the advent of the Europeans the natives had been 
satisfied with rude weapons, such as flint-tipped arrows or 
wedge-shaped stone hatchets. Copper from the New Jersey 
mines was highly prized among them, as it was one of the 
few metals they wci'c able to make use of, for from this 

139 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

copper they could make pipes and other useful articles. 
Some of the tribe were skilful workmen, who could fashion 
earthen vessels, carve stone bracelets, or pierce the eye of 
the quahaug so that it could be strung on hair and pass for 
money. 

This tribe were great gamblers, and their favorite game 
was played with a species of dice made out of plum-stones. 
Neighboring tribes frequently challenged the islanders to 
take part in competitive games, when great gatherings 
would take place, and at these festivities numerous sports 
were indulged in, such as wrestling, shooting at a mark, or 
foot-ball. 

The wigwams were deftly made of birch-bark, that was 
stretched over long poles set in a circle. The bark was 
dressed by the squaws, who also decorated their homes with 
richly embroidered deer-, beaver-, and other skins, or with 
rush mats made from the reeds that grew plentifully in 
the marshes, which were woven on primitive looms. 

The thrift and enterprise of the first settlers were richly 
rewarded. Besides the wealthy men who erected handsome 
houses and created beautiful estates, there were merchants 
whose ships brought rare cargoes to Newport, there were 
manufacturers whose factories produced staple articles of 
great value, there were shopkeepers whose goods came 
from far and near. The schools of the place were famous, 
and children were sent to the shores of Newport not only 
to get instruction, but health. There were flourishing 
churches of many denominations, and no better satisfied 
townspeople than those on Narragansett Bay could be 
found in any part of North America in the middle of the 
eighteenth century. 

About 1769 the town numbered at least eleven thousand 
souls. Many of the best houses were built along Thames 



HISTORY AND FIRST SKTTLKMKNT 

and S])riug Htroets, while coinfortable homesteads fronted 
ilic l)ay on what is now Washington Street, and a few wei-c 
dotted on Broad, which is now called Broadway. The 
State-Honse, overlooking the Mall, was flanked to the i-ight 
and left by conimodiotis and historic honses, while quiet 
little ISIary and Clarke Streets held their own in the way 
of conifortal)le mansions. 

The sugar-refineries for the cane tliat was shii)[ied in 
bulk from the West Indies were built close to the wharves. 
There were no less than seventeen factories for sjierm oil 
and candles that were owned by the Portuguese Jews, who 
had imported the secrets for refining this article and kept 
the manufacture of it in their own hands. Ship-chandlers 
flourished, for the harbor was filled with brigs, barks, brig- 
antines, and other sailing-vessels. There were five rojie- 
walks, one of them stretching down Kay Street from what 
is now Brinley Street, which takes its name from the owner. 
There was a regular line of packet-ships running between 
Newport and London, while the citizens of Aquidneck 
owned over five hundred vessels that were employed in 
foreign and domestic commerce. 

This thriving community made its own laws, and was 
entirely self-supporting. The goods imported from foreign 
countries were luxuries of which they had no absolute need. 
The spinning-wheels, looms, and. knitting-needles of the 
w^omen supplied clothes, both cotton and woollen ; the gar- 
dens and farms produced all necessary food ; game and fish 
were abimdant, so the colonists were absolutely independent 
not only in the way of supplies, but also for more material 
help. They cared little about England, for she was hardly 
a mother-country to them, even in name. The men with 
original religious doctrines had been harshly driven from 
her doors, and tlie descendants of these outcasts were 
ui 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

thriving both bodily and spiritually without her aid. The 
unhappy Jews who had been received and sheltered in New- 
port owed no allegiance to Great Britain, who would not 
have adopted them even had they sought shelter within her 
gates, so the people of Newport were no more willing to 
bow their necks to the British yoke than those of Boston, 
New York, Philadelphia, or the other American colonies. 
The Newport traders resisted manfully the attempt of the 
English government to interfere with their trade, and 
refused to pay a tax that was levied unjustly. 

During the French and Indian War Newport had been 
loyal to the cause, and had equipped vessels or supplied 
troops for the siege of Louisburg, but the fate of the unfor- 
tunate inhabitants of Cape Breton was alwa^^s before them 
as a warning of what might happen should England turn 
against the American colonies. Of course, each locality 
had its private grievance against the English government, 
and for years the jealousy between the colonies prevented 
anything like concerted action among them. As time went 
on, however, it became clear to them that if any good were 
to be accomplished, they must stand by each other or else 
consent to accept unmurmuringly the tyranny of the local 
officials, who were upheld by the home government. 

Newport had been settled for over one himdred years, 
and her prosperity particularly excited the cupidity of the 
men in power. Countless petty acts of annoyance were con- 
doned in silence by the inhabitants sunply because they felt 
they were too weak to stand alone and resent their injuries. 
Whenever a British man-of-war entered the harbor, flocks 
and herds were carried off without the owners being paid 
for them, and other aggressive deeds were wantonly 
committed, for which no redress could be obtained either 
from the officers in command or other authorities. Since 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

insolence was repaid by submission, the English became 
more intolerant in their demands on the colonists, who 
finally determined to redress their own wrongs, as the Eng- 
lish government so contemptuously dismissed their com- 
plaints without attempting to help the innocent parties. 
The archives are interesting to those students who care to 
follow step by step the causes that led to the revolt of the 
American colonies. Among the many incidents that oc- 
curred was one that took place in 1765, when the frigates 
*' Squirrel" and " Maidstone," with the schooner " St. 
John," were stationed in Newport harbor. The people, 
after repeated annoyances that were silently borne, sud- 
denly turned on their tomientors and burned some of their 
boats, after there had been a street fight between the mob 
and the sailors. This proved to the British officers that the 
temper of the people, once roused, was fierce and revenge- 
ful, so the sailors were sent to their ships and some cour- 
tesies shown to the authorities, although no punishment of 
the offenders was attempted on either side and hostilities 
were for a tiiue suspended. 

On May 3, 1768, some of the officers of a British man- 
of-war lying in Ne\vport harbor behaved with unusual arro- 
gance to the citizens, who had by no lueans forgotten the 
lesson they had taught the sailors of the British fleet three 
years previously, and the Newport people again openly re- 
belled. The result was a street fight, during which a native 
by the name of Henry Sparkler was killed by a midshipman 
named Thomas Careless. This goaded the inhabitants to 
decisive action, and they called on the Assembly for a special 
trial, after the coroner's inquest had returned a verdict of 
wilful murder. But the court weakly acquitted the pris- 
oner, so the only result was that General Gage sent a I'egi- 
ment from New York to Boston that should 1)e on hand in 

143 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

case open rebellion broke out. The general also requested 
the Admiralty to send a strong naval force, that should be 
stationed in the North Atlantic, in order to intimidate the 
inhabitants of the sea-board colonies. Had General Gage 
ordered a court-martial and inquired into the actions of the 
English officers and men, much trouble might have been 
averted ; but although he had married Miss Kemble, a de- 
scendant of one of the early settlers of New Jersey, where 
the family OAvned large tracts of land near Morristown, he 
was not influenced by his American wife, and showed little 
sympathy for the colonists in their troubles. 

As a result of the one-sided advice received by the Ad- 
miralty, within a few months after the despatches had 
reached England a dozen men-of-war with their tenders 
filled the harbor of New York, crowded into Gardiner's Bay 
at the end of Long Island, patrolled Narragansett Bay with 
vigilance, and sailed menacingly into Boston harbor. In 
particular an armed sloop named " Liberty," commanded 
by Captain William Eeid, annoyed all the craft that were 
unlucky enough to fall in with her. Her commander made 
what report he pleased of his actions, and the remonstrances 
of the colonists fell on unheeding ears. In July, 1769, the 
" Liberty" boarded two Connecticut vessels and carried 
them into Newport harbor. The men were accused of 
smuggling, although there was no proof of this. By no 
means daunted by the show of armed authority, and anx- 
ious to avenge the death of Henry Sparkler, the Newport 
men picked a quarrel with Captain Reid and seized his 
vessel, which they grounded and scuttled at the Point. It 
is claimed that this was the first absolute act of rebel- 
lion against British authority, and Ne-wport declares that it 
was on her shores in 1769 that the shot rang out that first 
proclaimed freedom to the world. 



1 


^■i ^ "■" 






Y'^ 



NEWPORT. OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

case ope I hroke out. The general also requested 

the Ad J! >iid a strong naval force, that should be 

stationed in the North Atlantic, in order to intimidate the 
inhabitants of the sea -board colonies. Had General Gage 
ordered a court-martial and inquired into the actions of the 
English officers and men, much trouble might have been 
averted ; but although he had married Miss Kemble, a de- 
scendant of one of the early settlers of New Jersey, where 
the family o^vlled large tracts of land near Morristown, he 
was not influenced by his American wife, and showed little 
sympathy for the colonists in their troubles. 

Asa result of the one-sided advice received by the Ad- 
miralty, within a few months after the despatches had 
reached England a dozen men-of-war with their tenders 
fiUed the harbor of New York, crowded into Gardiner's Bay 
at the end of Long Island, patrolled Narragansett Bay with 
vigilance, and sailed menacingly into Boston harbor. In 
particular an armed sloop named *' Liberty," conmianded 
by Captain William Reid, annoyed all the craft that were 
unlucky enough to fall in with her. Her commander made 
what i*eport he pleased of his actions, and the remonstrances 
of the colonists fell on unheeding ears. In July, 1769, the 
" Liberty" boarded two Connecticut vessels and carried 
them into Ne^vport harbor. The men were accused of 
smuggling, although there was no proof of this. By no 
means daunteil by the show of armed authority, and anx- 
ious to avenge the death of Henry Sparkler, the Newport 
men picked a quarrel with Captain Reid and seized his 
vessel, wliich they groimded and scuttled at the Point. It 
is claimed that tln-j was the first absolute act of rebel- 
lion agairist British iiuthority, and Ne^vport declares that it 
was on her shores in 17(>9 that the shot rang out that first 
proclaimed freedom 1 ' the world. 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

The authorities offered large rewards for the apprehen- 
sion and conviction of the Newport men concerned in this 
enterprise, but although they were well known tliey were 
never arrested or convicted. 

The English vessels that entered Narragansett Bay this 
year were the frigate " Arethusa," sloops " Lizard," 
'' Rose," " Mercury," " Swan," " Hind," " Viper," and 
'* Kingfisher," with the schooners " Gaspe," " Beaver," 
and " Vesper." It is interesting to remember the names 
of these vessels tliat did so much toward intimidating our 
ancestors during the great struggle for freedom. Their 
commanders were constantly on the alert and always ready 
to assert their own right to board all craft entering the 
harbor, although England was at peace with her colonies 
and there were no aggressions on the water to repress. Re- 
sistance on the part of the colonists was futile, and this 
surveillance fell heavily on the innocent coasters or fisher- 
men, so one by one these pursuits were relinquished and the 
men turned to farming in inland places where they were 
unlikely to be pursued by their tormentors. This was a 
great loss to trade, the merchants grumbled that it was im- 
possible to get boats for local freight, while the housewives 
complained that few fish were brought to the market. 

Although the English government was fully aware of the 
disaffection of the colonists, it was nevertheless eager to 
enroll the stalwart young men of Newport on the lists of its 
army and navy. The situation of the town on the beautiful 
land-locked sheet of water made it but natural that boys and 
men should be early acquainted with the management of 
boats, so it followed that they were well qualified by their 
youthful pursuits to become able seamen and most desirable 
for recruits in the English navy. The farmers' boys were 
also stalwai-t, hardy youngsters, so it was determined to 

10 U5 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

entice as many as possible to enter one branch or other of 
the service. For this purpose the Twenty-ninth Regiment 
was stationed at Port George, in Newport harbor, which 
was used as a recruiting station, for this regiment had a par- 
ticularly showy miiform that it was thought would attract 
Yankee Doodle. But notwithstanding the glittering but- 
tons and gay hues of the king's livery, very few men were 
induced to join. Tempting offers were held out, bribes and 
even threats resorted to, but in vain, until the British 
officers became alive to the fact thrust home to them in 
this and other ways, that disaffection to the government 
was prevalent in every rank of society, and that they were 
personally disliked and distrusted. The local opposition to 
authority was growing in every colony, and little Rhode 
Island was particularly defiant and independent. The As- 
semblies were generally loyal, but this was owing to the 
fact that a strong hand was kept on them by the colonial 
governors, who were in most cases Englishmen who, having 
no personal interest in the welfare of the communities they 
had been despatched to govern, turned a deaf ear to the 
wishes of the people. 

Rhode Island did not tamely submit to oppression, and 
since the representatives of the people cringed to the de- 
mands of the governor, the merchants took the matter in 
hand, fearing that unless some strong action was taken their 
trade would be ruined by heavy taxes and unjust imposts ; 
so they entered into the noted non-importation agreement, 
which was boldly signed by men of mark in all of the prin- 
cipal cities connected with foreign traffic. It is true that 
many men who publicly signed this agreement broke it in 
secret whenever they could do so with mipunity, but their 
fellow-signers took measures for reprisal as soon as their 
renegade acts were discovered. 

146 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

lu 1772 David Hill, of Rhode Island, was detected selling 
goods that were prohibited by this non-importation agree- 
ment, upon which an armed mob broke into his warehouse 
and destroyed all his property. Hill appealed to the law 
for protection and redress, and while the trial was in prog- 
ress the Admiral of the fleet sent his Majesty's sloop of war 
" Beaver" and the " Gaspe," a tender of eight guns, to 
patrol Narragansett Bay. The colonists knew quite well 
that these vessels had been stationed near the harbor to in- 
timidate them mider the pretence of enforcing the revenue 
laws, although almost all foreign or intercolonial commerce 
had been driven from Providence and Newport. But now 
the peaceful farmers on the shore and the few fishermen 
and oystermen quietly following their work in the harbor 
were subjected to daily annoyances. 

In particular the conmiander of the " Gaspe," Lieuten- 
ant "William Duddingston, exercised every molestation he 
could invent. He was a petty t,yrant who took pleasure in 
using his power to disquiet his helpless victmis. Day after 
day the boats of the fishermen were stopped and searched, 
although the}^ contained no freight more menacing to the 
British flag than an active lobster or a snapping turtle, and 
it was impossible foi' the Ijoats to have held comnumication 
with even flic opposite sliore witliont })ermissi()ii of Lieu- 
tenant Duddingston, \vlios(^ vessel was always ]n-o\vling 
about the harl)oi'. The fields juid orcliards of the fanners 
were openly robbed and tlieir stockyards and poultry-] )ens 
made to contribute to the larder of the English commander, 
who was supposed by the govermnent to be i)rotecting tlie 
rights of an infant colony dependent on a mother-country. 
But Duddingston was rapacious and seized everything 
within his grasp. From time to time he sent to Boston any 
freight he had cajitured that was too bulky or inconvenient 

U7 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

for him to dispose of to liis own advantage. This was con- 
trary to an act of Parliament, that required confiscated 
goods to be exhibited before the government of the State in 
which the seizure was made. But compliance with the law 
would not have suited the commander, who boasted that the 
rulers in Boston would not examine too closely into the 
quality or quantity of the goods turned over to them, 
whereas the local goverimient would have been easily 
reached by the owners, who could have proved, first, that the 
goods had been unjustly seized, and secondly, that but a 
small portion had been turned into the public stores while 
the greater part of it had been appropriated for private 
uses. Enough, however, was sent by Duddingston to Boston 
to make the authorities there repose confidence in their 
active representative, although they were well aware that 
he was acting contrary to law by sending them the goods 
instead of sending them to the authorities of the colony of 
Rhode Island. 

It is hardly singular under these circumstances that 
complaints were imheeded and no steps taken to protect 
the defenceless colonists, whose anger smouldered for many 
months until the Newport and Providence people became so 
exasperated by these arbitrary acts, that had so seriously 
interfered with their commerce for over a year, that they 
roused Governor Wanton to take their part. On March 21, 
1772, the high sheriff was sent on board of the " Gaspe " 
with a letter from the governor of Rhode Island to Lieu- 
tenant Duddingston, requiring him to produce his authority 
for the repeated acts of violence with which he was charged, 
proofs of which had been laid before the colonial govern- 
ment. 

The British officer returned an insvxlting reply to Gov- 
ernor Wanton by a junior officer, while at the same time he 

148 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

enclosed the correspondence to Admiral Montagu at Boston, 
quite sure of being supported in Ms actions by that officer, 
who at once took sides with his subordinate against the 
colonial government, and threatened that, in case Lieuten- 
ant Duddingston met with any resistance when boarding 
a suspected vessel, the crew should be hanged from the 
yard-arm without further trial. 

A spirited paper fight now began between the king's 
admiral stationed in America and the governor of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations. Both parties for- 
warded the correspondence to the home government, and 
pending its decision the war of words went on merrily be- 
tween the two officials, wliile Duddingston continued to 
molest the peaceful fishermen of Narragansett Bay, who 
were slowly and deliberately rousing themselves to take 
active reprisals, dangerous as it was to revenge themselves 
on the representatives of King George, even when they were 
acting contrary to law and on their owti responsibility, bvit 
the natives had at last gained the sympathy of the local 
authorities. 

Encouraged by the letter of the admiral, Duddingston 
continued to board all the vessels in the bay, secure in the 
belief that annoyance and even violence would be sanc- 
tioned, while he calmly wrote to Admiral Montagu acknowl- 
edging that he was knowingly violating the law when he 
despatched a captured schooner under guard to Boston and 
not to Newport, as should have been done. Duddingston 
wrote, excusing his action on the ground that the authorities 
in the former place would sustain his action, while those 
in Newport would have wrested the prize from him as being 
illegally detained. While this correspondence was being 
exchanged between Lieutenant Duddingston and his com- 
manding officer the former continued active hostilities. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Duddingston was a bully who took every advantage of 
his jDosition to annoy those wdio could not defend them- 
selves, but it is said that on more than one occasion he met 
with determined resistance when he boarded vessels, and 
he was forced to sheer off without accomplishing his pur- 
pose, and that these repulses were not acknowledged to his 
superiors. 

On June 8, 1772, a vessel from New York reported at 
the Newport custom-house, receiving her papers from the 
king's representative and sailing for Providence the fol- 
lowing day, where she arrived early in the evening; but 
she had narrowly escaped capture by the " Gaspe," whose 
conunander had determined on showing his authority and 
taking the " Hannah" as a prize, entirely ignoring the fact 
that she was protected by papers from legal authorities. 

The " Hannah" was commanded by Captain Linzee, or 
Lindsay, a sailor who was well acquainted with the bay of 
Narragansett, and who, when ordered by Duddingston to 
heave to and be examined, crowded on all sail and, wind- 
ing through some narrow passages too intricate for the 
" Gaspe" to follow, except with a competent pilot, made 
her escape. Lieutenant Duddingston chased the " Han- 
nah" blindly, since he was overconfident of his own knowl- 
edge of the shoals and rocks in the bay, and when on the 
point, as he thought, of overhauling the American schooner 
he ran the " Gaspe" aground near Pawtuxet, on a spot then 
called Nanicut, but which has been renamed Gaspe Point, 
in commemoration of the destrviction of the British vessel. 

The tide was falling, and Duddingston saw no prospect 
of getting off the rocks for many hours. The vessel lay 
easy, and was uninjured, so that the next high tide would 
float her. The lieutenant was exasperated at having his 
prey slip through his fingers, but never considered the help- 
iso 



HISTORY AND FIRST SKTTLF.MKNT 

loss and critical condition lie was in, for he r(ni\d not im- 
agine that the colonists would dare revenge themselves on 
one of his Majesty's officers or injure a sloop of war. 
After a hearty supper the connnander and crew calmly 
went to bed to wait until a favorable tide in the morning 
should float them off, leaving but one man on watch. 

The helpless crew and vessel offered an miparalleled 
opportunity to the enraged Americans that was too favor- 
able and tempting to be neglected. On reaching port the 
captain of the " Hannah" reported the plight of the 
" Gaspe," when a well-kno\\Ti citizen mounted the portico 
over his door and addressed a mob, who had been sum- 
moned by fife-and-drum call to meet by moonlight. Greatly 
excited, between thirty and forty determined men gathered 
after the speech that urged " all stout hearts to asseml)le 
on a wharf near the town," where plans were rapidly ma- 
tured and details quickly arranged; so by ten o'clock that 
evening eight long boats were filled with sixty-four stalwart 
men commanded by Abraham Whipple. 

Very few weapons were taken, for the colonists had no 
regular arms. Some of them had rusty guns loaded with 
bird-shot, but the boats were loaded with round stones has- 
tily gathered from the beach, and with this armament 
against the guns and practised crew of a British war-vessel 
the boats shoved from the shore. 

After a steady pull with muffled oars of more than two 
hours, they reached the stranded " Gaspe," and early in the 
morning of June 10, 1772, the Americans began an attack 
that is memorable for all time as the first resistance to the 
British navy in the North American Colonies. Inferior 
in number and almost without arms, these hardy fishermen 
intrepidly attacked the English vessel. As the boats pulled 
alongside they wei'c hailed by the watch on deck. He was 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

greeted with a volley of stones that drove him below, while 
the fishermen boarded the sloop. Roused from sleep and 
midressed, Lieutenant Duddingston rushed on deck, but 
was instantly fired at and severely wounded. The American 
party then overcame the crew and drove them as prisoners 
into the boats. The " Gaspe" was set on fire, the flames of 
which were seen at Pomfret, on the northern borders of 
Connecticut, and as far south as Newport, proclaiming that 
liberty had lighted a torch, the flame of which should never 
be extinguished. 

Feuimore Cooper, in his naval history, says, " Al- 
though this aifair led to no immediate results, it doubtless 
had its influence in widening the breach between the op- 
posing parties, and it is worthy of remark that it was the 
first blood that flowed in a struggle for Ajnerican indepen- 
dence; the whole transaction being as direct a resistance 
to opj)ressiou as the subsequent and better-known fight at 
Lexington." 

The British officer and crew having been captured by 
these citizens and overcome by a handful of stones, were 
carried to the main-land, to offer what excuses they could 
to their superior officers. But such an open act of rebellion 
could not be overlooked by the authorities, so Governor 
Wanton offered one himdred pounds for the capture or 
conviction of the law-breakers. Not a man had been dis- 
guised, and they were generally known to be among the 
prominent men of Bristol and Providence, but they were 
not betrayed to justice. 

During this time Duddingston was being served with 
writs on account of the many illegal seizures he had made 
of goods and vessels while he commanded the " Gaspe" in 
Narragansett Bay, for the owners hoped that the law-courts 
of their own colony could protect them even in defiance of 

162 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMENT 

the oppressive naval officers who were acting by might but 
not by right. This appeal to the legal authorities increased 
the breach between the colonists and the navy, with the re- 
sult that many petty annoyances ensued. 

The home government took up the question, but their 
point of view was the destruction of their vessel, and not 
the aggressive acts of its commander. Duddingston was 
ordered to report in England, where he was court-martialled 
and — would it be credited — honorably acquitted, although 
he had run his own boat ashore in broad daylight in the 
well-charted harbor of Narragansett Bay, and had after- 
wards surrendered to some undisciplined men armed with 
no more mischievous weapons than cobble-stones. 

The grievances of the colonists and the circumstances 
that had led to the burning of the " Gaspe" were treated 
as matters of no consequence and ignored by the home 
office, beyond a conmiission that was issued to several offi- 
cials stationed in America in different colonies, who were 
commanded to meet at Newport to investigate the affair, but 
with few powers. These gentlemen assembled in January, 
1773, and, as a preluninary movement, sununoned Admiral 
Montagu to appear before them. This he would not con- 
descend to do, hamjjering the investigation in every possi- 
ble way, by preventing the men mider his command from 
testifying. 

The court had nothing to do but adjourn for four 
months, but i)roceedings were resumed in June. By this 
time the admiral had reported to his superiors in England, 
when the Admiralty excused him and his subordinates from 
appearing before the commissioners appointed by theii' 
sister, the Home Office stating that although the commis- 
sioners had been authorized to liold the investigation by 
the Lords of Trade, the latter liad no authoritv to call an 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

admiral in his Majesty's service to appear before them 
as a witness. Relieved of responsibility in this way, Ad- 
miral Montagu deputed one of his captains, named Keeler, 
to represent him. This naval gentleman had a writ out 
against him, therefore he was afraid to venture into New- 
port, where he would have been arrested, so in consequence 
he ordered a junior officer to appear in his place. During 
part of the investigation it was proved that a negro by the 
name of Aaron, who was the only person who offered to 
testify against the Americans, had been carried to a lonely 
place by some English sailors and tortured into making a 
confession, and it was also proved that he was absent on the 
night that the " Gaspe" was burned; therefore he had no 
personal knowledge of the men engaged in the expedition. 
So as this testunony was worthless, and none other forth- 
coming with respect to the culprits, but a great deal against 
Lieutenant Duddingston, the commissioners, after sitting 
three weeks in Newport weighing both sides of the case, 
prepared a statement which was forwarded to the Lords 
of Trade, in which Duddingston 's arbitrary and tyrannical 
conduct was rehearsed, while the wrongs of the colonists 
were clearly set forth. 

Besides this, Chief Justice Horsmanden wrote a per- 
sonal letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, a copy of which is 
among the colonial dociunents of New York. It was dated 
February 20, 1773, and says, " Captain Duddingston had 
been plying upon his business in the Narragansett River 
for some time. He had not communicated his commission 
to the governor on his arrival, as Mr. Wanton informed us ; 
Mr. Duddingston has made several seizures of prohibited 
goods on that station, and, on seizing their traffic, might 
probably have treated the boatmen with severity, roughness, 
and scurrillous language, by which the people of that place 

154 



HISTORY AND FIRST SETTLEMKNT 

might be provoked to this daring insult and resentment; 
and not knowing Du(klingston bore the king's commission 
of what he had done, they, as they gave out, looked upon 
him as a pirate and treated him as such. For, as the gov- 
ernor informed us, upon complaint of his abuses, as they 
pretended, he expostulated with Mr. Duddingston and de- 
manded he would satisfy him as to the commission upon 
which he acted, which at length he did. My sentiments 
upon the whole * Caspe' affair are that this daring insult 
was committed by a num])er of bold, daring, rash, enter- 
prismg sailors collected suddenly from the neighborhood, 
who banded themselves together upon this bold enterprise, 
but by whom stunulated for the purpose I cannot conjec- 
ture. They cunningly calculated the attack at a time of 
night imder the ' Gaspe's' disadvantage, aground, when it 
was probable the crew would be below deck and asleep, as 
was the case, only one sentry on deck, and thus by surprise 
easily boarded and plundered her." 

Notwithstanding these representations, no steps toward 
redressing the wrongs of the colonists were taken. John 
AVesley preached a sermon about this time, in which he said 
the American rebellion nuist in a great part be traced to 
the Puritanical origin of the New England States. He 
might better have said, to the t\'rannical conduct of English 
officials. 

Had this courageous enterjirise taken places in anotlier 
locality, it would probably have been sung in verse, song, 
and history, but it is not too late to mark it and conunemo- 
rate it, so that it shall be forevcM- i'('nieml)ered as one of tlie 
first blows struck for freedom in Anici'ica. 

The conflict thus begun continued quietly, but witli spirit. 
Little Rhode Island made arrangements to join a federacy 
with \'irgiiiia and Massachusetts, a govei'innent movement 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

that was the outcome of concerted action by the inhabitants, 
who had discovered the power of confederation. Other 
colonies became interested in the movement, since all had 
wrongs of their own to redress. 

It was about this tune that Admiral Montagu complained 
to his superiors that his flag was not properly saluted when 
he visited Newport, whose citizens were so enraged at his 
contemptuous treatment of the court of inquiry that had 
been held there that they refused to notice the admiral's 
signal. Besides this grievance against the admiral, the citi- 
zens were indignant with nearly every one of the officers of 
the fleet, who had got into trouble with the fishermen and 
farmers by their tyrannical treatment of them, while the 
tradesmen had taken legal steps to get their bills paid. In 
particular, Captain Keeler, of the " Mercury," the next in 
conunand to Admiral Montagu, was practically a prisoner 
on his own vessel, since he did not dare land in Newport 
on account of the writs that were out against him. 

But Captain Keeler soon revenged himself by seizing in 
Newport harbor, March, 1773, an American vessel called the 
" Spy^vood," from the West Indies on her way north in 
Narragansett Bay. The cargo of this ship had been for- 
mally entered at the custom-house in Newport, and she had 
been permitted by the authorities to sail for Providence. 
When this vessel was seized the indignation of the people 
was roused, but they submitted quietly, and only nursed 
their wrath. 









^ 



ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

ATTERS moved rapidly after the 
11 n dug of the " Gaspe," for re- 
peated annoyances and tyrannical 
■": '"•^ ,^ actions on the part of the British ofifi- 

»^ -^v'-.S ';^i^-- •'^'^■^ forced citizens of Newi^ort to 
.. ; j'^ir^^;" 'j-^ hold frequent meetings to determine 
^r';"'^^.^^,^^: '■ ^._i' what stei)s to take to protect their 
. :■ ;^-' . own interests. The increased taxes 

also fell heavily on the people, who, when they could 
not refuse to pay the impost on imported articles, quietly 
detei'inincd not to indulge in them. For this reason paj^er 
(which was highly taxed) became scarce and little used, and 
the first meeting to resent the introduction of tea into the 
Ehode Island Colony was held at Newport in the court-house 
on January, 1774. What is known as the Boston tea-party, 
when a cargo of tea was thrown into the harbor, took place 
on the 16th of December, 1773, only a few weeks previously. 
The citizens of New York had ordered the ships having 
cargoes of tea out of the harbor as early as April 18, 1764, 
when the " Nancy," Cai)tain Lockycr, reached the port, 

157 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

and on the 22d of April, 1764, a number of men boarded the 
" London," Captain Chambers, forced open the hatches, 
hoisted eighteen chests of tea on deck, broke open the lids, 
and emptied the contents into the river. The cargo of the 
" Peggy Stewart," at Baltimore, was treated the same way 
at about this date, showing the determined spirit of the men 
of the other colonies, that was imitated ten years afterwards 
by Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

As early as the 12th of June, 1769, twenty-nine young 
ladies of Providence met under the sycamores at the Roger 
Williams spring, and there resolved not to drinlv any more 
tea. They then adjourned to the house of Miss Codding- 
ton, the daughter of Governor William Coddington, one of 
the founders of Newport, where they partook of a frugal 
repast, " composed in part of the delicious Hyperion," a tea 
of domestic manufacture. 

A letter from Newport, published in a New York paper, 
January, 1768, says that " Hyperion" was the dried leaves 
of the raspberry, and was extensively used throughout the 
colonies in place of the Chinese herb. Although the women 
were doing their utmost to help their husbands, fathers, and 
brothers to resist the tyraimical oppression of England, it 
was soon apparent that concerted action among the colonies 
must be agreed upon if any permanent redress was to be 
obtamed. 

At first the local assemblies passed resolutions or laws, 
that were promptly vetoed by the governors of the colonies 
who had been appointed by the king, such as Virginia, 
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Connecti- 
cut's governor had been elected by the people, and was 
Thomas Fitch, the father of the famous Thomas who was 
the original Yankee Doodle. Rhode Island was the proud 
possessor of a charter under which she appointed her own 

1S8 



ON THE VERGK OF THE REVOLUTION 

governor, but he was strongly suspected of having Tory 
sentiments. 

Still, the Assembly was sufficiently strong to take active 
measures in Rhode Island, and ordered Fort George, in 
Newport harbor, to be hastily repaired. The platforms for 
guns were replaced, the stores examined and renewed, while 
the local militiamen were drilled in military duties. 

The Newport Light Infantry was granted a charter by 
the General Assembly on Oqtober 26, 1774, rather to the 
disgust of the military men and naval officers who were sta- 
tioned in the vicinity, for they had been unable to recruit 
one man for his Majesty's service, and although scornful 
of the clmnsy tactics of the native train-band, the British 
officers could not but be dismayed at the warlike attitude 
of Rhode Island, and Newport in particular, for it pointed 
to an armed resistance to their authority that Englishmen 
always deplore. 

Of course, the fortification of Fort George and the arm- 
ing of a trained body of men by a local authority could not 
be lightly passed over. Accordingly another British war- 
vessel was sent to the harbor of Neu^^ort in November, 1774. 
She was the " Rose," Captain Sir James Wallace, an officer 
who proved to be as aggressive toward the local sailors as 
Duddingston had been when he patrolled Nan-agaiisett l>ay 
in the " Gaspe." Private stores and provisions were seized 
as contraband goods, although they should have been pro- 
tected by the papers carried by tlic captains of tlie shi])s, 
whicli, however, were wantonly disi-egai'ded. Pleasure- 
craft or fishermen's l)oats were overhauled and their inno- 
cent owners subjected to inconvenience, if not to indignity. 
Annoyances were heaped on inoffensive people that were 
futilely resented at the time, but they added to the long list 
of injui'ies laid against the ari-ogant English officials, and 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

helped to sap the already weakened foundations of the 
bridge of unity between England and the American colonies. 

Lossing, in his " Pictorial Field-Book," declares that 
" Wallace was a commissioned pirate in Narragausett Bay, 
and for a month revelled in the wanton destruction of 
property. Every American vessel that entered Newport 
harbor was captured and sent to Boston. He burned and 
plundered the dwellings and desolated the farms. It was 
the same Wallace who afterwards destroyed Esopus on the 
Hudson River, October 13, 1777." This was a strange 
policy to pursue, for the British fleet was ostensibly sent 
to America to protect the colonies from foreign invasion, 
and they were taxed heavily to support a fleet and army 
that was only used to rob and insult the popidace that 
supported them. 

In fact, Rhode Island owed nothing to Great Britain 
or her rulers. The first settlers had not been despatched to 
colonize a new country under the protection of the English 
flag and create an offshoot of that country in the new world. 
They had abandoned their native shores to make for them- 
selves independent new homes under better and more lib- 
eral conditions. From private funds they had honestly pur- 
chased the land from the Indians, and had formed a wise 
protective government for their colony. The men of Rhode 
Island had no debts to pay to Great Britain, but its rulers 
ignored this fact and continued to oppress the colonists, 
while condemning them for disloyalty to a government in 
which they had no part and from which they had received 
no bounty. 

The British rulers blindly blundered on, ignoring the 
fact that the tie binding all the colonies to them was but a 
slender one. Were the Dutch of New York, who were still 
smarting over the change in their name, likely to forget that 



R SOCIAL CAPITAL 

he)]' .eady weakened foundations of the 

hf' en England and the American colonies. 

lis '' Pictorial Field-Book," declares that 

a comniissioned pirate in Narragansett Bay, 

mouth revelled in the wanton destruction of 

- Every .American vessel that entered Newport 

1 u hot was captured and sent to Boston. He burned and 

;>lfa',dered the dwellings and desolated the farms. It was 

V hf same Wallace who afterwards destroyed Esopus on the 

Hudson Ei\'er, October 13, 1777." This was a strange 

]>olicy t(^ pursue, for the British fleet was ostensibly sent 

to Amen<-a to protect the colonies from foreign invasion, 

and till'} were taxed heavily to support a fleet and army 

that was only used to rob and insult the populace that 

supported them. 

In fact, Rhode Island owed nothing to Great Britain 
or her rulers. The first settlers had not been despatched to 
coloiiize a new country under the protection of the English 
flaw and create an offshoot of that country in the new world. 
They had abandoned their native shores to make for them- 
selves independent new homes under better and more lib- 
era 1 (.'onditions. From private funds they had honestly pur- 
cha>- •<! the land froni the Indians, and had formed a wise 
prt'M , live government for their colony. The men of Rhode 
Islar ! had no debts to pay to Great Britain, but its rulers 
igu<i:'v.i this fact and continued to oppress the colonists, 
while >'ndenining them for disloyalty to a government in 
whici; rx y had no part and from which they had received 
no bou:'iv. 

Th(. .'ritish rulers blindly blundered on, ignoring the 
fact that i he tie binding all the colonies to them was but a 
slender o; - Were the Dutch of New York, who were still 
sDoarting ^)^ • ■ the change in their name, likely to forget that 



ON THK VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

their ])()i)ulous settlcineiit liad been stolen to gratify the 
rapacity of the Duke of York, who, as Lord High Admiral 
of England, ordered a fleet to capture the colony? New 
Amsterdam had welcomed men of every country and diverse 
creeds. There were not only Dutchmen in the colon}', but 
Hugiienots from France, Scotchmen who believed that the 
Stuarts were the rightful claimants to the throne of Eng- 
land, and would gladly have seen the house of Hanover 
driven from it, and men from Germany, Spain, or other 
countries, while there were not half a dozen influential men 
of English birth in the colony. Was it then probable that 
New York would tamely submit to oppression any more 
than rebellious Connecticut, independent New Jersey and 
Pennsylvania, harassed Virginia, and the other more Eng- 
lish colonies'? 

It seems incredible that the men in the English govern- 
ment should have pushed their country so blindly to its fate. 
The documents filed in the Colonial Office and still preserved 
show that complaints were properly forwarded to the home 
office, and their contents must have been known to some of 
those in power. It was not Rhode Island alone that was 
calling out for justice, but at the time a little leniency, a 
few concessions, a wise adjustment of harsh measures, or 
a just government at the crucial moment, and the United 
States of America would never have existed, and we should 
be loyal su])jects of Edwai-d \'TI. at this day. But — 

" See the justice of lleuven, Anierica cries, 
George loses his senses, North loses his eyes, 
But, before they attacked her 'twas easy to find 
That the Monarch was mad and the Minister blind." 

It is well known that when the Stamp Act was being 
discussed in Pai'Iiamont Pitt opposed it. Charles Town- 

n 161 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

send, the cousin of Horace Walpole, had much at stake, 
and vehemently upheld the measure in a violent speech, 
saying, " These Americans are our own children, planted 
by our care, nourished by our indulgence. Will they 
now tui-n their backs upon us and grudge to contriljute 
their mite to relieve us from the heavy load which over- 
whelms us?" 

To this Colonel Barre replied, ' ' Planted by your care ? 
No ! Your oppression planted them in America. They fled 
from your tyranny into a then uncultivated land, where 
they were exposed to almost all the hardships to which 
human nature is liable ; . . . and yet actuated by principles 
of true English liberty, they met all these hardships with 
pleasure compared with those they suffered in their own 
country from the hands of those who should have been their 
friends." 

The night after the Stamp Act passed, Benjamin Frank- 
lin, who was then in London, wrote to Charles Thompson, 
afterwards the secretary of the Continental Congress, say- 
ing, " The sun of liberty is set; the Americans must light 
the lamps of industry and economy." To which Thompson 
quickly replied, " Be assured we shall light torches quite 
of another sort. ' ' 

In December, 1774, Newport became alarmed for the 
safety of its military stores at Fort George, that was the 
property of the colony and not of the British government. 
There were too many of his Majesty's ships hovering about 
the harbor, and it was feared that by their aggressions they 
might force the colonj^ into open rebellion by seizing the 
camion, ammunition, and stores of the Provincial govern- 
ment, so this body resolved to remove it to Providence and 
place it there in charge of Colonel Nightingale, one of their 
own officers. 



ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

The Englisli officers demanded an explanation foi- tliis 
movement, l)ut were bhmtly told by Governor Wanton that 
it was done to prevent the property from falling into their 
hands, and that the guns thus removed would be used 
promjitly against any enemy of the colony. If this was not 
rank rebellion, what was ? Ne^N'port was in truth one of the 
cradles of liberty, and her action in defiantly dismantling 
Fort George was rapidly commimicated to the rebellious 
subjects of England in other parts of America, giving them 
fresh courage and inciting them to take similar steps on 
their own behalf. 

On the evening of December 14, 1774, a mob collected 
in Newport, and there was a conflict between it and the 
officers of the custom-house, which, however, was soon 
quelled by the town authorities; but one defeat did not 
prevent frequent minor frays between the representatives 
of the English government and the men who were so op- 
pressed by the new and severe custom-house regulations. 

The mob also decided that tea must be neither publicly 
nor privately sold, so when a few venturesome tradesmen 
displayed signs advertising the forbidden article, these 
were carried off by the mob and burned as soon as they 
were displayed. 

The news of the fight at Lexington on April 19, 1775, 
reached Newport with incredible rapidity, and " an army 
of observation" was raised at once in spite of the remon- 
strance of the governor, who was seriously alarmed at such 
an open act of rebellion in his little colony. Joseph Wanton 
had been re-elected governor for the seventh time, but the 
Legislature now suspended him and empowered Henry 
Ward to sign all commissions, and deputed the lieutenant- 
governor to convene the Assembly. 

The brigade of TJliode Island and Providence Planta- 

163 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

tions was placed mider the command of Nathaniel Greene, 
of Warwick, — 

"... that Quaker brave 
His anvil unto freedom gave, 
And made that anvil loudly ring 
"With giant blows and stalwart swing; 
And every time he struck his forge, 
Vowed vengeance to the tyrant George. 
"What did his patriot mother say, 
"When from his home he turned away ? 
' Nat, if thou tak'st the battle's track, 
Let not a shot assail thy back ! ' " 

One regiment of the Rhode Island brigade was composed 
entirely of Newport men, with Thomas Church as colonel. 
Prom that moment the Rhode Island men were active in 
the field, and could always be relied on in action. Some of 
them assisted in the masterly retreat after the battle of 
Long Island, when many oarsmen were required to ferry 
General Washington's army rapidly across the strong cur- 
rent of the East River to New York. It was a Rhode Island 
man who so nearly captured the " Vulture" in the Hudson 
River after the battle of Harlem Heights. Men from this 
little State rowed the commander-in-chief across the Dela- 
ware that icy December night when the Hessian regiments 
were caught carousing and soundly beaten at Trenton. 

General Washington once complained that the Rhode 
Island line gave him more trouble than any men in his 
army, to which Colonel Olney made the laconic but charac- 
teristic reply, " That is precisely what the enemy say." 

The regiments from this State figured in nearly every 
important battle during the Revolution. Over four thou- 
sand of Newport's youngest men took service in the Ameri- 
can navy as soon as the Continental Congress formed one, 

164 



ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

Newport alone coutributing more men than any other port 
on the continent except Boston, while twenty of these picked 
men were promoted to be captains in the infant fleet. 

On Jtme 14, 1775, the deputy-governor wrote to Captain 
Sir James Wallace, who was then stationed in Narragansett 
Bay, demanding why he annoyed the peaceful ships sailing 
to and fro, and why a particular sloop — naming it — had 
been seized by the commander of the " Rose"? This led 
to a sharp correspondence between the governor and Sir 
James, and a still more celebrated exchange of letters be- 
tween the English captain and the American, who was Abra- 
ham Whipple, the gallant seaman who was known to have 
led the attack on the " Gaspe," although no legal evidence 
could be obtained against him. This fact had provoked the 
British officer, who was keen to seize an opportunity of 
avenging the insult to the flag, so he wrote, — 

" You Abraham Whipple, on the 10th day of June, 1772, burned his 
Majesty's vessel the ' Gaspe,' and I will liang you at the yard-anii. 

" James Wallace." 

The answer was short but pointed, and was as follows: 

' ' To Sir James AVallace : 

" Sir, — Always catch a man before you hang him. 

"Abm. Whipple." 

The English perverted this answer, declaring that a 
well-known proverb, " First catch your hare," was found 
in Mrs. Glasser's cooking-book. Truth to tell, no such ex- 
pression is in the book, but the original was the defiant 
words of Abraham Whipple. This was bad enough, and the 
blunt humor was not appreciated by Sir James, and matters 
were made Avorse a few days after these letters were ex- 
changed, when Whipple chased the tender of the " Rose," 
forcing her to run ashore on the rocks at Conanicut I.sland, 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

where she was easily captured by the Americans. Mr. 
Samuel Greene Arnold, in his " History of Rhode Island," 
claims for "Abraham Whipple the honor of firing the first 
gun of the Revolution upon the water when the ' Gaspe' was 
captured, June 10, 1772," and declares that the conflict of 
June 15, 1775, " settled the ability of provincial cruisers to 
cope with those of the crown," and was the " initial effort 
of what is now the navy of the United States." Newport 
therefore has the proud distinction of having witnessed the 
first fight in American waters between the British and 
colonial ships. 

From this date Captain Sir James Wallace was active 
in harassing every vessel that sought entry into Narragan- 
sett Bay. He soon captured five ships, which he escorted 
into Newport harbor, greatly to the wrath of the towns- 
people, who watched eagerly for an opportunity of avenging 
themselves. Unluckily for the British captain, he was lured 
into chasing a smart coaster that was openly rimning the 
blockade. The " Rose," commanded by W^allace, and the 
" Swan," her tender, at once pursued the fugitive, that sped 
before the wind with all sails set. Here was the long-sought 
chance. The enemy were absent, so the citizens of Newport 
quietly boarded the five captive vessels that Sir James had, 
as he supposed, left safely guarded and carried them off. 
They were quickly repainted and altered in such a way that 
they were not easily identified, so when the "Rose" returned 
to Newport her wrathy commander tried vainly to discover 
his prizes, but was forced to content himself with fierce 
threats against the people of Newport. 

The battle of Bunker Hill, on June 17, 1775, the very 
day before the release of the captured ships in Newport 
harbor, roused all of the colonies into active rebellion. By 
this time each separate province had fully realized that 

166 



ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

their strength lay in casting aside local differences of race 
and religion, to band together against the common enemy, 
so troops were rapidly despatched to the aid of Boston from 
all the principal colonies, and none went more quickly to 
the front than those of Rhode Island. 

It was futile to think of defending the scattered farm- 
houses that lay in such exposed situations as did those on 
Xarragansett Bay, while as for Newport, it lay so directly 
under the guns of the British men-of-war that were patrol- 
ling the waters that the women and children took refuge in 
inland towns, while the sons of Aquidneck abandoned their 
homes and marched cheerfully to join the Continental army, 
hoping that by throwing in tlieir fortunes with the rest that 
this concerted action would bring independence to all. 

A large number of Rhode Island men were Friends, or 
Quakers, whose tenets forbade them to carry arms, but 
these aided their coimtrjTuen by turning teamsters and cart- 
ing provisions or assisting in other ways that did not entail 
actual combat ; but the story is told of one Friend in New- 
port who, when he heard the news of the battle of Lexing- 
ton, threw oft' his drab coat, saying, " Friend, lie tliere," 
turned up his broad-l)rinnned hat with a cockade, seized a 
musket, and marched off with his fellow-townsmen. 

Owing to its exposed situation. Fort George was aban- 
doned, but while the citizens ostensibly left their harbor 
unprotected, they privately established signal-stations at 
Tower Hill and many other points of vantage, wIutc a 
patrol was kept always on watdi, so it might warn ihc 
inhabitants of the approach of a great naval foi-ce or any 
threatening attempt on the i)ai't of the enemy, in order 
that tlie people of Xewpoi-i could ])rci)arc for (Icfciicc or 
flight as they felt inclined. Women, young l.oys, and 
Quakers were emi)ioye(l in tiiis ser\ice. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 
The beacons set up by the colonists became the means 
of communication all over the coimtry. They were not only 
useful on the seaboard, but served to give notice of many 
a sortie of the enemy, since the movements of an armed 
force could be signalled by the fires that blazed from a 
hill-top, to be answered far and near. There was a regu- 
lar net-work of these beacons, with sentinels to watch and 
fire them, who became expert in flashing their news from 
one to the other. 

The pile of brushwood that was burnt on top of Beacon 
Hill on the old Hammersmith farm overlooking the ocean 
entrance and harbor of Newport, or at Tomony Hill, was 
answered at Providence. These lights could be seen as far 
inland as Pomfret, Connecticut, from which place the bon- 
fires were visible either to the east, on Dorchester Heights, 
or west at Danbury, Coimecticut. The beacon at the latter 
place communicated with stations on Long Island Sound, 
and circled back to Montauk Point, as Whittier says, — 

" Leagues North, as fly the gull and auk, 
Point Judith watches with eye of hawk. 
Leagues South thy beacon flames Montauk." 

The light on Beacon Hill was only one of the chain that 
extended as far as the Berkshire Hills, and from there to 
the Hudson River. 

Back of the Catskill Mountains can still be traced the 
Indian trail to the Delaware River, and sentinels were sta- 
tioned on many of the hills along this route. The Berkshire 
Hills communicated with the Sha^vmut Mountains north of 
West Point, from which the fiery signals could be sent to 
Crow's Nest in the Highlands, where one of the principal 
beacons was placed. This light could be seen on the Pali- 
sades to the south, and was from there flashed to New York, 

168 



ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

as well as far into New Jersey, where at Sunnnit began 
another line of beacons. 

This great chain of fire once systematized and the signals 
agreed upon, they proved to be of the greatest service to 
the country people and also to the Colonial troops, for warn- 
ings could be sent from Philadelphia to Boston via New 
Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, with incredible rapid- 
ity, or duplicated along Long Island, through Montauk, 
Point Judith, and Newport, and they proved to be a valu- 
able if crude means of rapid communication; therefore 
from the beginning of the Revolution to the end of the 
war they were in constant use. 

The inhabitants of Newport were now few in number. 
The merchants had fled to other ports, some non-comba- 
tants, like the Quakers or Tories, remained with a handful 
of women, who bravely determined to protect their homes 
if possible, but there were still some patriots left who 
refused submission to the naval officers in the harbor, and 
were as rebellious as they dared to be with the armed vessels 
of the enemy always before their doors ready to destroy 
the town with or without a pretext. On July 20, 1775, Sir 
James Wallace concluded to frighten them into submis- 
sion, as they had again defied his authority by concealing 
some deserters. For this purpose the guns of the fleet were 
trained on Newport, while the women and children were 
ordered to leave the town. Every preparation was osten- 
sibly made for flring the place unless the culprits were 
handed over to the enemy, when it was discovered that one 
or two of the women of the town had been the people who 
had sheltered and aided the escaping sailors, and these 
females openly defied Sir James to do his worst, saying 
they " despised his threats." Since it had become a war 
with Amazons, Sir James blustered for a co\iple of days, 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

aud tlieu, thinking the inhabitants were sufficiently cowed 
by the fright he had given them, he ordered his fleet off on 
a cruise. 

By this time the farmers on the shores of Narragansett 
Bay had realized there was no safety for their herds or 
flocks if close enough to the water to be captured by the 
fleet of the enemy, so all the live-stock belonging to the New- 
port people was conveyed from Prudence, Goat, Rose, and 
other islands near the harbor to secret places until it could 
be driven to the amiy, for the Americans preferred to feed 
their own troops to providing food for the enemy. 

Active measures began also to be taken by the local gov- 
ernment, so one of the first acts of the Assembly, which 
convened the end of August, was to arrange for the manu- 
facture of saltpetre and the easting of eight field-pieces. It 
was also enacted that pilots should be forbidden to convey 
the ships of the enemy into Narragansett Bay. Two gun- 
boats, named the " Washington" and the " Spitfire," were 
armed and commissioned. Rhode Island was the first to 
demand a national navy, although it was not the only port 
in which spirited conflicts had taken place with the enemy. 

The people of Newport had too hastily congratulated 
themselves on the departure of Sir James Wallace, and 
their consternation was great when he returned and de- 
manded supplies for his fleet. But the islands had been 
cleared of the stock and there was but little provision left 
in the town, so early in October he again threatened to 
burn Newport if the townspeople did not comply with his 
demands. 

The alarm was great, the beacon fires were lighted, and 
messengers sent to all the neighboring towns for help. Six 
hundred men from Providence marched at once to defend 
the hapless town, while the greater part of the inhabitants 



ON THE VERGE OF THE REVOLUTION 

who had ventured to Imger now fled, many of them never 
to return to their homes. 

It was at the time of the autmun storms that always 
sweep across Newport with great violence, and one of these 
hurricanes burst over the heads of the fugitives as they 
hurried toward Tiverton for shelter. Many of the carts that 
were loaded with furniture and valuables, or with helpless 
invalids, women, and children, were overturned and their 
contents strewn by the roadside, to be soaked by the rain 
which fell in torrents. The elements seemed to persecute the 
unfortunate peoi)le of Newport, leaving them not even a 
reminiscence of their once prosperous, happy homes. 

This was a crucial moment for Newport, deserted as it 
was by its hapless people and abandoned to the enemy, who 
suddenly realized that his rapacious demands had only 
served to depopulate the town, while, by driving away the 
people who had formerly satisfied his wants, he had done 
himself nothing but injury. Under these circumstances Sir 
James became alarmed in his turn, for Ne\\TDort had been 
a fruitful base of supplies, and, realizing that it was unwise 
to destroy the place, he tried to allay the fright he had 
caused by telling those people who were left that if they 
would send him the provisions required for the fleet he 
would not burn the town. 

But the promises made by the British ollicer were made 
in vain. Too well the unfortunate townsmen knew that they 
were " written in water," so, heedless of his protestations, 
his demands, or his ])aiis. the exodus continued imtil all the 
principal persons had deserted their homes, and none but 
those too poor or improvident to leave now remained in the 
place. 

Finding that Newport was deserted, ^^'allace abandoned 
his designs upon it and sailed for l>i'istol, wliich lie liai-ried 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

in its turn, provisioned his fleet, and returned to the harbor 
of Newport. Since the farmers and tradespeople of Aquid- 
neck had for so long a time been robbed by the British fleet, 
there was naturally great distress among them, so much so 
that the assembly was forced to appropriate two hundred 
pounds to relieve the immediate want of the refugees who 
had flocked to Providence and other more inland towns for 
protection, and where they found themselves completely 
destitute. November 9, 1775, saw another naval action off 
Newport between some Providence blockade-rmmers and 
the British war-vessels that had been left on guard. After 
a sharp eneovmter the latter returned to the harbor without 
gaining a victory, while the American ships escaped to sea. 
A couple of months after this encoimter the seamen from 
the fleet were landed at Conanicut, where they burned many 
of the buildings of the hapless people and carried off the 
live-stock. This attack on the farmers again alarmed the 
destitute people in Newport. There were two himdred poor 
helpless creatures stranded in the town, with no means 
of support and no way of escape. Providence County now 
came forward and liberally offered to harbor them, so they 
were thankfully despatched by the authorities. Now the 
factories of Newport were silent, the great warehouses 
empty, all commerce had ceased, and the town seemed about 
to be abandoned forever to the gulls, the fish-hawks, and 
the cormorant of the sea, as Sir James Wallace was called. 



/^r^ 






^^':h 









NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

SINCE the British fleet had aban- 
doned Newport and her inhabitants, 
~ It'/^ -^ whose trade had been driven away, 

it looked as if finis was written 
against the history of the town, but 
a reincarnation was now to take 
^..^.e-i.:^:z. place. The colonial government had 
no intention of deserting such an important situation, so 
as soon as the British left, General Lee, with a strong force, 
marched into the to\\Ta, on Christmas-day, 1775, which he 
at once began to fortify. Nor were the British idle when 
they learned through their spies that the inhabitants had 
fled and an armed force had taken their place. The fleet 
suddenly returned, and a sharp conflict took place on Pru- 
dence Island, January 12, 1776, between th(i Americans 
and the British sailors, when the enemy wore driven to 
their ships with a loss of fourteen killed, while oidy four 
men were killed on the colonial side and one taken prisoner. 
Within the month another descent was made on Pru- 
dence Island, which after that was entirely al)andoned by 
the inhabitants, who were as thoroughly intimidated and 
defenceless as their neighl)ors in Newport had been. 

On April 6, 1776, the British fleet anchored a mile above 
Newport, close to the shore, wlicrc tlierc was a good si)ring 

173 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of water, intending to fill the tanks of the ships, but a 
handful of Americans, led by Colonel Babcock, planted 
some guns on a little hill in open view of the enemy and 
without any works to protect them, and prevented the 
British from landing, while Colonel Elliot, assisted by 
Colonel Grimes, commanding two row-gallies, forced Sir 
James Wallace to drop down the bay. 

In March, 1776, the British evacuated Boston, embark- 
ing the troops on the large fleet that had been concentrated 
there for the purpose. Their departure was signalled by 
the beacons, that flashed a warning from Boston as far as 
Philadelphia. 

It was feared that the enemy would touch at Newport, 
so rapid preparations were made for a strong defence ; but 
after several days of anxiety the sentinels on Beacon Hill 
reported that they had seen the fleet apparently sailing to 
New York, So danger was for the present averted, as the 
attention of the enemy Avas now concentrated on the cap- 
ture of that place, and the Eastern States were for the time 
being abandoned. 

In the year 1775 Congress ordered a nmnber of ships 
built for the American navy, and the keels of two of these 
vessels were laid in Rhode Island. They were named the 
*' Warren," after the hero who fell at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, and the " Congress." The fleet was to consist of thir- 
teen new vessels large enough to resist the smaller cruisers 
of the crown, and were weU adapted to capture transports 
or store-ships and annoy the enemy in various ways. 

On the 22d of December, 1775, Congress passed resolu- 
tions making Esek Hopkins, Esq., commander-in-chief of 
the newly created American navy, with a salary of one him- 
dred and twenty-five dollars a month. He was immediately 
put in command of a fleet consisting of one sloop, one 

174 



NEWPORT DURING THK WAR 

schooner, two brigs, and four small vessels, and with this 
fleet he was exj^ected to cope with tlu; large, well-equipped 
squadron of the British navy. 

Small as it was, the little fleet performed its duty, while 
its sailors executed incredil)le deeds of valor. So between 
the date of its going into commission and the end of 1776 
it had caijtured many small ships, protected commerce as 
far as it w'as able, and had caused the English naval offi- 
cers to be constantly on the alert against surprise. In fact, 
it acted the i)art of a mosquito, causing much annoyance 
to the enemy, di-awing blood, and leaving a sting without 
taking life. 

The infant navy began active operations under Com- 
modore Hopkins as soon as he hoisted his flag. Two ves- 
sels were captured off Point Judith, and on April 6 the 
frigate " Glasgow," of twenty-four guns, Captain Snow, 
and her tender were forced to run into Narragansett Bay 
for shelter after a short action of three hours. Great was 
the consternation of the British sailors who were snugly 
lying in New}:)ort harbor, for they never expected an attack 
on the sea, but the s(iuadron was fitted out hurriedly to set 
sail in pursuit of the audacious Yankee. 

As soon as the ships left the harbor Colonel Richmond 
ordered several pieces of ordnance to be planted on a bat- 
tery on Brenton's Point, where a slight breastwoi'k was 
thrown up during the night. On the 7th several men-of- 
war slipped past it into the harbor with their prizes, but 
the same night they were attacked by the Americans, when 
the British hastily cut cables and put to sea, and the prizes 
were recaptured. A few days after, the British ship-of-war 
" Scarborough," twenty gims and two hundred and fifty- 
five men, with the " Scymitar," of eighteen guns and one 
hmidrcd and fortv men, came to anchor south of Rose 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Island, where a sharp conflict took place that forced the 
British to move toward Conanicut. There they were fired 
on and beat a retreat, receiving fire from Castle Hill as 
they passed. During this week of almost incessant fighting 
the Americans had only one man wounded. This gallant 
defence forced the British to put to sea, when for the first 
time in many years Narragansett Bay was free from ves- 
sels bearing the king's flag. The troops stationed in New- 
port were not idle. New earth-works were hastily con- 
structed, particularly at the Point, at Fort George, and at 
what is now the site of Fort Adams, on Brenton's Point. 
A breastwork was thrown up at the north end of Wash- 
ington Street, and Battery Street recalls the exact spot 
where the intrenchments were made. The small semicir- 
cular brick wall has been nearly destroyed and is generally 
covered with water. It was named Fort Greene, and in its 
day did good service. 

But a final engagement took place off Montauk Point, 
Long Island, that ended the short career of the fleet. Most 
of the American ships were captured, and Captain Hop- 
kins carried the remainder to Newport harbor, where he 
was a by no means welcome visitor, for smallpox had broken 
out and there were several cases on each ship, so that with 
an invalid crew the vessels were practically of no value. 

It is now acknowledged that Commodore Hopkins did 
all that was possible with the means at his command, but 
at the time public feeling strongly condemned him, and on 
the 2d of January, 1777, Congress formally dismissed him 
from the service. Preceding this action the remnant of 
the American navy with its crippled crew lay for some 
time in Newport harbor, expecting the return of the 
enemy's fleet and without a commanding officer. Many 
of the seamen had entered only for the cruise that had 

176 



NEWPORT:. OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Island, where a shai-p conflict took place that forced the 
British to move toward Conanicut. There they were fired 
on and beat a retreat, receiving fire from Castle Hill as 
they passed. During this week of almost incessant fighting 
the Americans had only one man wounded. This gallant 
defence forced the British to put to sea, when for the first 
time in many years Narragansett Bay was free from ves- 
sels bearing the king's flag. The troops stationed in New- 
port were not idle. New earth-works were hastily con- 
structed, particularly at the Point, at Fort George, and at 
what is now the site of Fort Adams, on Brenton's Point. 
A breastwork was thrown up at the north end of Wash- 
ington Street, and Battery Street recalls the exact spot 
where the intrenchments were made. The small semicir- 
cidar brick wall has been nearly destroyed and is generally 
covered with water. It was named Fort Greene, and in its 
day did good service. 

But a final engagement took place off Montauk Point, 
Long Island, that ended the short career of the fleet. Most 
of the American ships were captured, and Captain Hop- 
kins carried the remainder to New^port harbor, where he 
was a by no means welcome visitor, for smaUpox had broken 
out and there were several cases on each ship, so that with 
an invalid crew the vessels were practically of no value. 

It is now acknowledged that Commodore Hopkins did 
all that was possible with the means at his command, but 
at the time public feeling strongly condemned him, and on 
the 2d of January, 1777, Congress formally dismissed him 
from the sei'vice. Preceding this action the remnant of 
the American navy wdth its crippled crew lay for some 
time iji Newport harbor, expecting the return of the 
enemy's fleet and without a commanding officer. Many 
of the seamen had entered only for the cruise that had 

176 



HH 




I^K^H^^^^^^^^H i 










fcliif iJI^MlM ji 






m^ 




1P\^ i 


t^^ 






■HH^B 


B ^ 




-^1 


■■H^ 




'7/ 


^HH^j 


HUMy 


fc~~"^" ♦•J J/ — 'i!^'^ 




V^B^ 




tjfc : '%m^^i 




^ 




Ok^..,-. 




-i; 




E,^ '' 








Bjfeir'""i ill J 


•— • ij 






V 1 




31^^ 


'"'" 1 


-i 




H-t ' 




^Bi^lgi 


^1 






fly 




P^^K^7 


tail 






pP 


Wi\l 




rs 






1^' ■ 


llH 


Bj^^ f^*^ 


VI 






; 




lyH^SH^QHIS 


k.. 


;■ 


1 




& 


h 


yiPI 




^BIm 


11 


£ 




s 



NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

disastrously finished, and it was most difficult to set men 
to till their pla<'es, but ou June 13, 1776, .lolui Paul doues, 
who had been counuissioiied a lieutenant on l)eceinl)er 
llll, 177"), was oi'dcrcd to man as many of ihc siiips as 
possil)lc to sail from Newport with a convoy loaded with 
military stoics. This expedition was attended with con- 
siderable risk, but (he crnisei-s of the enemy were skilfully 
evaded and llie nnich-needed stores reached their destina- 
tion in Long Island Sound. At the same time Lieutenant 
Jones covered the escape of a brig from St. Domingo, laden 
also with military stores, bound for New York. This brig 
was soon after bi-ought into the service and named the 
" Hampton." -loiies now went on a cruise to the eastward, 
during which he took sixteen prizes, some of which were 
very valuable and which he carried into Newport, and on 
the 10th of October, 1776, he was commissioned captain in 
the navy, ranking as number eighteen, with James Nich- 
olson as senior captain. 

James Fenimore Coojjer, in his Naval History, states 
that when Captain Jones reached Newport after his cruise 
in the " Providence," he had three vessels put under his 
command. They were the " Alfi-ed," the " Hampden," and 
the " Providence." It was impossible to recruit in New- 
port, so Jones was forced to leave the last in the harbor, 
and to sail with the "Alfred" and the " Hampden," btit 
-while clearing the port the latter ran on a ledge of rocks and 
was so badly damaged that the crew returned and fitted 
out and manned the " Providence," which sailed for the 
north in the month of November. Both vessels were lucky 
enough to fall in with and capture several valuable ships, 
that were carried to Boston, but none of the vessels of 
the American navy returned to Newport. 

With great difficulty, in 1775, Newport i-aised three com- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

panies of sixty men each, for the farmer lads who had ven- 
tured home, although patriotic, were imwilling to leave their 
fields untilled, while those of the townspeople who had 
returned under the protection of the American troops 
dreaded abandoning their goods and shops, but still the 
men marched off cheerfully enough to join the army. In 
July, 1776, the legal title of State of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations was adopted by the General As- 
sembly. Patriotic measures were voted by this body that 
embraced the defence of Newport, raising of troops, etc. 
In particular, although the men were needed at home, the 
Assembly voted to send some to aid New York in defending 
herself. 

When the Declaration of Independence was publicly 
signed in Philadelphia, on July 4, 1776, the news of the 
determined action on the part of the State delegates was 
rapidly sent to the capital of each of the thirteen States. 
The glad tidings reached Newport on the 20th of July. 

The citizens who remained in the place were few in 
number, but they were summoned by beat of drum, while 
broadsides were scattered freely through the town as well 
as the neighboring country that set forth fully the text of 
the document that had been drawn up by Thomas Jeffer- 
son, the opening sentence of which, it is said, follows closely 
that of a much older declaration, that was originally used 
by the inhabitants of the Netherlands against their oppres- 
sors, A large crowd of both Tories and Federals assem- 
bled in front of the court-house to listen to Major John 
Handy, of Newport, read the Declaration of Independence 
from the steps of the old colonial building. There were 
grave, there were terrified, and exultant faces assembled 
that hot smnmer morning to assist at the creation of a new 
nation. All realized that a crucial moment had been 



NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

reached, and many staggered back with dismay at the pros- 
pect of the strife before them. Freedom was proclauned, 
but Newi:)ort was to suffer for many years before she could 
profit by the release from thraldom. Well might one of 
the Tories exclaim, — 

" For freedom, indeed, we supposed we were fighting, 
But this sort of freedom's not very inviting." 

All the able-l)odied men of the place being absent, New- 
port was practically defenceless when, on December 1, 
1776, an English fleet arrived in Newport, commanded by 
Sir Peter Parker. On these vessels was part of the army 
sent out to subdue the colonies. There were ten thousand 
men under General Clinton, while the fleet was ordered to 
report to Lord Percy. On the 8th of December some of the 
regiments disembarked at Long Wharf and took possession 
of Newport. The main body landed at Coddington's Cove 
and marched to Gould's and Weaver's hills, where they 
encamped for one night, but after despoiling all the farms 
on the route they marched into the town on the 9th. From 
ten to forty-five men were quartered in each house, where 
they remained until May, 1777, when the inhabitants were 
relieved by having tlie army move into camp. But all the 
meeting-houses or churches had been occupied as barracks, 
with the exception of Trinity Church, which, with the royal 
crown of England glittering on its spire and the arms of 
royalty erected in its choir, was spared desecration, and 
retained for the English services read by the chaplains of 
the fleet or army. 

The army consisted of the Twenty-second Regiment, 
commanded by Colonel Campbell; the Forty-third Regi- 
ment, Colonel Marsh; the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Colonel 
Bruce; the Sixty-third Regiment, Major Tell; artillery, 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Colonel Eniiis ; the Light-Horse, Colonel Fanning. Besides 
these, were four regiments from Hesse-Darmstadt, each 
called by the name of their respective commanders, — Heno, 
Beno, Bedford, and Landscraf t. While in the bay the frig- 
ates " Lark," " Diamond," and " Juno," with tenders, 
transports, sloops-of-war, etc., lay with their guns on the 
town. 

The fortifications throMai up by the Americans, and 
abandoned when this large armed force appeared, were 
taken possession of by the enemy and greatly strengthened, 
while redoubts or breastworks w^ere planned by the skilled 
engineers at various points on the island. 

To keep the men amused, a newspaper was started called 
the Newport Gazette, that was printed with the type of the 
Neivport Mercury, that had been concealed when the editor 
hastily left the town, but which was betrayed to the enemy. 
Constant foraging parties of Hessians were employed to 
scour the island and bring forage, fuel, and provisions to 
the army. All the wooden fences were carried away, which 
afterwards caused much confusion among the owners, as 
by this means they lost their landmarks. 

On February 21, 1777, a smart action took place on the 
upper part of the island, when several Americans were 
womided and one man killed. In the spring General Clin- 
ton sailed with Lord Percy for New York, leaving General 
Prescott in command at Newport. Tliis haughty, tyran- 
nical officer treated the people with disdain and cruelty. 
Innocent citizens were put into jail without any charges 
having been preferred against them or any reason assigned 
for their imprisonment. 

Among them was William Tripp, a most reputable man, 
who was entirely innocent of any action agamst the in- 
vading army. He was so closely confined that his wife was 

180 



NEWPORT DURING THK WAR 

not oven allowed to see liim, and could oidy (•oiiniiunicatc 
with him by enclosing letters in loaves of bread that she was 
permitted to send him. Tripp was finally released when a 
yomig lady went to General Prescott, who was always 
placable after dinner, and begged for her friend's enlarge- 
ment. To this Prescott consented, l)iit only after he had 
been bribed by a kiss. Prescott 's head-quarters are still 
standing on the corner of Pelham and Spring Streets. The 
house was owned by ^Ir. John Bannister, a wealthy New- 
port citizen, whose portrait, painted by Gilbert Stuart 
when about fifteen years of age, is now in the Redwood 
Library. General Prescott 's dail}^ walk of inspection 
along Spring Street toward the State-House was rough and 
unpaved, so he ordered his men to seize all the door-steps 
in front of the neighboring houses and place them so as 
to give him a clean and smooth pavement. This was done, 
forcing the owners of the houses to spring from their 
doors into tlie street. It is said that when the enemy left 
the town there was a di'oll scene as the different owners 
claimed these stones and carried them back to place them 
in their original positions before each household's door. 

Prescott was a pett}' tyrant, like Duddingston, Wal- 
lace, and many another who had been intrusted by tlie 
British govermnent with ))()sitions recpiiring tact and 
judgment, that they were miable to exercise, but antag- 
onized every one witli whom they came in contact who were 
not their equals in power. Presc(jtt was totally unfitted 
for his comiiiaud in many nthcr ways, wliicli was proved 
in moments of emergency, in liis disposition of the men 
under his connnand, etc. One iniixTioiis habit of his is 
part of the history of New|)oi-t. Dni'ing liis daily walks, 
if lie saw liair a dozen iicoplc slandini; toi;ctlicr chatting 
and laughing, he wonld shake his cane at tlieni, crying out. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

** Disperse, ye rebels!" Every woman was compelled to 
courtesy low and every man to remove his hat entirely from 
his head when he met the general, and to stand bareheaded 
as long as that officer remained in sight. As the people who 
remained in Newport were, for the most jDart, Quakers, 
this was particularly offensive to them, but any failure 
to comply with this unwritten law was instantly punished 
by the irascible officer, who would strike the offender or 
poke him with a stick. It is related that one evening Gen- 
eral Preseott was riding on the West Road, when he met 
a Quaker who did not doff his hat. The officer dashed up 
to him and pushed the astonished man violently against 
a stone wall, knocked his hat over it into the field beyond, 
and commanded the orderly in attendance to put the cul- 
prit into prison, where he remained for some tune. 

During the smnmer Preseott left Newport to take up 
his quarters five miles out of town on the West Road, in 
the house of a Quaker by the name of Overton, with only 
a corporal's guard within hail. On July 9, 1777, a daring 
feat was planned by a Yankee named William Barton, 
who was stationed at Tiverton. He started with a party of 
forty men embarked in whale-boats, which were clmnsy 
craft that could be either rowed or sailed, and so broad in 
the beam that many persons could be accommodated on 
board. 

The party landed about a mile from the house, having 
barely escaped the enemy's ships that lay off Prudence 
Island. The Americans landed in a little cove and marched 
silently toward the house. As they approached the gate 
a sentinel hailed them twice and then demanded the coun- 
tersign. " We have none to give," said Barton, quickly. 
" Have you seen any deserters about?" This threw the 
man off his guard, who lowered his musket, when a cloak 

182 



"^c^ 





NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

was thro\vn over his liead and he was dragged off and 
gagged. The house was quickly surrounded and three gal- 
lant men entered by as many different doors. Mr. Over- 
ton, the owner of the house, was reading in a lower room, 
and, when Barton asked for General Prescott, he silently 
pointed upward. Barton and his men rushed up the stairs, 
surprising the general in bed. The door was broken open 
by Cudjo Sisson, a powerful negro, who used his head as 
a battering-ram. Major William Barrington, the aide- 
de-camp, courageously stepped out of the window to the 
roof of the porch, clad only in his night-shirt, and slipped 
to the groimd, where he was captured before he could es- 
cape or give an alarm. Both the general and his aide were 
boimd, and theii- heads were wrapped in cloaks so they 
could neither cry out nor struggle, after which they were 
rapidly marched to the shore, where the whole party em- 
barked and silently, with muffled oars, passed the hostile 
fleet. 

Colonel Barton and his captives reached AVarwick Neck 
on the morning of the 10th of July. Colonel Elliot re- 
ceived them there, and, taking charge of the prisoners, con- 
veyed them to General Spencer's head-quarters, from 
which place Prescott was sent as rapidly as possible first 
to Providence and then to Lebanon for safe-keeping. For 
this gallant deed Colonel Barton was thanked l)y Con- 
gress and promoted, while he and his party were voted 
eleven hundred and twenty dollars by the Assembly of 
Rhode Island. Prescott was exchanged for Charles Lee 
the following April. 

Various sorties were made l)y the British from New- 
port during the summer, and slight frays frequently oc- 
curred in the bay. On August 5 Ca])tain Dyer was wounded 
while (IctViidiiig s(.in(' Hsliing-boafs iliat liad been attacked 
ih;{ 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

by the enemy, and succeeded in driving them off. But the 
next venture was not so successful, when an American 
privateer attempted to run the blockade, but was chased 
ashore at Seaconnet and burnt by the enemy. 

Many of the best plans of the enemy were defeated by 
being betrayed to the Americans, who were always on 
watch. One of the most alert spies in the service was a 
young German girl, who acted as bar-maid in John Fry's 
tavern, the Marquis of Granby, near the Court-House. She 
had emigrated when very young, but habitually spoke her 
native tongue to her parents, while using English without 
an accent. Gertrude was in the habit of waiting on Cap- 
tain Klingender, of the Pusileers, Captain Maltzbury, and 
other Hessian officers, and listening to their plans. These 
she would conmiunicate to an old negro, or to some of the 
Quakers who dropped into Newport for news, which in- 
formation they quickly sent to their friends. Judge Wil- 
liam Taggart was the most active in this business, for he 
would frequently stop at the Marquis of Granby to hear 
the talk of the town, and for some reason was not suspected 
for a long time. If Taggart was prevented from going to 
the inn, he sent his slave Cudjo, to whom Gertrude would 
communicate everything of importance. Taggart lived four 
miles from Newport on the West Road. 

On the East River there was an easily maintained 
traffic with friends on the main-land, who could row across 
the water for the mail at given signals, which was some- 
times placed in a vault near the shore that was covered 
with a flat stone, or in the hollow branch of a tree. An 
open window in Peleg Peckham's barn was the signal that 
the enemy was not on hand.. The l)ars of the fence were 
let down if there was danger. A towel from a closed 
shutter told that the mail was prepared and in place. So 



NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

with tlu'so and other notices freciuent eonimunieatiou was 
kept up. 

Tlie i)oliey of the Americans was to harass and annoy 
the enemy as mucli as possible without coming into actual 
contlict with tliem. The capture of Prescott had encour- 
aged them s(i much that another attempt was determined 
on, and Colonel Cornell endeavored to emulate Colonel 
Barton l)y capturing some British officers. The fleet was 
in the habit of sending to the different islands in the bay 
for water, and on the night of September 3 Colonel Cor- 
nell arranged an ambuscade, under cover of which he 
seized an officer and fifteen men who had lauded on Pru- 
dence Island. The same night another officer with two men 
were made captives near Newport. All of them were de- 
spatched to Providence as prisoners of war. 

By this time nearly four thousand men were stationed 
on Aquidneck, tw^o regiments of English and two of Hes- 
sians wei'e on Windmill Hill, a corps of Grenadiers and 
light infantry at Fogland h\'rry, one regiment on Butts 
Hill on the extreme northern end of the island, while tAvo 
I'egiments were stationed in New})ort. From these points 
they made constant sorties, finding little resistance from 
the helpless women and children who wei-e tlie only occu- 
pants of the scattei-ed farm-houses. These women were 
loiigldy if not scandalously treated. The soldiers robbed 
them of everything, even their shoe-l)Uckles, wedding-rings 
and the few valuables they possessed, while poultry-yards 
and pig-pens were requisitioned and all the stock (liivcn 
off. Churches, mills, barns, dwelling-houses were burned. 
I !iit a laid on 'I'iverton was succe.ssfully resisted by twenty- 
ti\(' persons, some of them l)oys and women, who stationed 
tlicuischcs at tlie l)ridge, and when the flessian officer saw 
that a spii'itcd action wonhl take place, he ordered his 



NKWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

troop to wheel and canter back to their camp. It was no 
part of their policy to fight determined people. 

It seemed an almost hopeless undertaking to try to 
dislodge this strong force, when the flower of the native 
young men were with their regiments, either in New York 
State or with the commander-in-chief. Still the Assembly 
seriously considered the possibility of a spirited attack by 
the few troops stationed in Rhode Island. The battle of 
Saratoga and surrender of General Burgoyne on October 
13 had inspirited all the colonists as much as it had dis- 
mayed the British. It was therefore determined that some 
attempt to dislodge the army in Newport must be made, 
and for this pui"pose a large force of Americans imder 
Major Nathan Munro gathered at Tiverton. 

But exactly at this time a three-days' storm, that had 
been threatening for some time, set in with great violence, 
which delayed the attack planned for the morning of Octo- 
ber 16. The stores of the Americans were seriously dam- 
aged, their ammunition was wet, and the roads so washed 
by the heavy rains as to be almost impassable. Under these 
circumstances the attack was postponed, but now other de- 
lays occurred that made a successful attempt impractica- 
ble. A council of officers which was hastily summoned for 
the purpose strongly recommended that the engagement 
be abandoned as inexpedient. On learning of this decision, 
many of the volunteers who had taken up ai-ms without 
regularly eidisting now returned to their farms, which so 
greatly weakened the American forces that the whole cam- 
paign was abandoned. 

For a month hostilities between the Americans and the 
enemy were suspended, but the former were always on the 
alert to take advantage of any mishap. So when on the 
6th of November another gale drove the British ship 

186 



NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

" Lynn" ashore at Point Judith, her crew of one hundred 
and sixty-six officers and men were captured. One of the 
few American frigates, named the " Columbus," was 
chased ashore the following March on the same spot, where 
it was burnt and the crew made prisoners by the British. 

In the mean time the crestfallen General Burgoyne ar- 
rived in Newport on parole. He had obtained leave from 
Congress to return to England, since he could no longer 
serve in America, so after spending a few days with his 
comrades he embarked, on April 15, in one of the vessels 
that carried the tidings of his defeat and surrender, while 
the men and officers of his anny were sent to Vermont. 
Burgoyne sailed just in time to escape the rejoicings which 
followed on the reception of the news of the treaty of 
Paris, that reached Boston and was speedily communicated 
to the patriots in Newport. There was no demonstration 
<^>f joy possible at Newport, but the people of Providence 
fired a national salute, the report of which echoed on 
Aquidneck. 

Although the English government had at last been 
awakened to the serious condition of affairs in America, 
they were not prepared to take measures to relieve the dis- 
tresses or redress the wrongs of the colonists, but having 
failed to intimidate the rebels by a show of arms or conquer 
them at once, they resolved to make a half-hearted attempt 
to stop the war by making concessions that could easily be 
rei)ealed as soon as the rebels were disarmed and again 
at their mercy. Lord Carlisle and another (commissioner 
were sent to Philadelphia with the bills passed by Parlia- 
ment, which planned for the submission of the colonists 
but held out no prospect for representative government, 
the reduction of taxes, or the repeal of laws that had 
caused the rebellion. Indeed, the government had never 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

investigated the reason of the revolt. So, greatly to its 
surprise, the proposals haughtily extended were indig- 
nantly spurned by Congress, and Lord Carlisle clearly in- 
dicated in his private letters to his friends that he expected 
no other termination to his thankless mission after he had 
realized the condition of affairs, which was only after his 
arrival in America. 

Since the negotiations for the submission of the colonies 
had failed, it was detemiined to subdue the rebels by send- 
ing a strong force to the covmtry, so July 15, 1778, saw a 
large British army landing in Newport harbor, and now 
seven thousand men occupied the island. The arrival of 
the fleet was signalled from Beacon Hill, and from there 
flashed to different parts of the country, according to the 
arrangements made by the spies in service of the Ameri- 
cans. It was presmned that an attack would be made on 
Providence, but, whatever the intentions of the British 
general, they were not carried into effect, for on July 29 a 
French fleet, commanded by Count d'Estaign, of twelve 
ships of the line escorted by four frigates, arrived off New- 
port and anchored within Brenton's Reef. 

Three English frigates lay on the east side of Prudence, 
but a few mornings after the arrival of the French fleet 
the British vessels weighed anchor and tried to get under 
the protection of the battery at Coddington's Point. The 
French cut them off, forcing the British to run ashore, 
where they set fire to the vessels, while the men took to 
their boats. There were also a number of British ships 
lying in Coddington's Cove under the battery, and these 
also were set on fire as soon as the men realized that the 
war-ships were abandoned. The transport " Grand Duke" 
was burnt at Long Wharf, the frigate " Flora" was simk 
at what is now the torpedo station, the " Falcon" was scut- 



NFWPORT DURING THF WAR 

tlod in tlio chaniiol, and the man-of-war " Kin^Hslier" was 
hnrni in Scaconnct River. 'I'lic I>i-i<isli destroyed tlieirown 
l)oats in a panic that was ludicrous and inglorious. A year 
after the l^ritish evacuated the island the Yankees floated 
the " Flora," fitted her for sea, and sent her to Fi-ance. 

The Frencli fleet ran U]) llie middle ])assa.ii-e to anchor 
near (lonld Island. They received and relurned the lire 
from the shore halterie.s, silencing some of tlieni, hut with- 
out landing. As soon as the French approached, the 
Hritish ])egan to hurn all the houses two miles north of 
New})oit on the Fa.st and West roads. Every cart-wheel, 
wagon, gi'indstone, sc}i:he, axe, hatchet, etc., was destroj-ed. 
They filled up the wells, and the same night withdrew the 
troops stationed at Butts Hill, who fell hack to the liiie of 
intrenchments that had been thrown u)* from the 1)attery 
at Coddington's CoA-e to vSeacomiet. There was another line 
that ran nearer the town, so both of thes(! were strengthened 
and fully defended. 

The garrison on Conanicut had been called into New- 
I)ort as soon as the Fi-ench fleet appeared, which concen- 
trated a large force in the place. There were a nmnber of 
transports with the French fleet, on board of which was 
an army of six thousand men, commanded by the Comte 
de Rochambeau. This gallant officer made a lasting im- 
pression on the people of Newport, not for his courage, 
l)ut because he used a muff, wliich was consideivd most 
effeminate and unworthy an officer. Fortunately, de 
Rochambeau left convincing i)roofs that he was a man of 
bravery and ability. 

The British army was now in a trap of their own 
making. Retreat by land through a hostile country to New 
York was not to be thought of, and their only hope was an 
atta.-k on fhe French bv the British fleet. The cohuiists 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

now took heart, as they realized that the treaty of Paris 
was no empty promise, and that the French had really come 
to their assistance. They fortunately did not know that 
the jealousy of the French officers would make their help 
more of a show than a reality, so they warmly welcomed 
the foreigners, and old men, youngsters. Friends, and Jews, 
who had been non-combatants up to this time, now flocked 
to the standard of the American army in Rhode Island, and 
Providence was filled with recruits, who, under General 
Sullivan, marched to Tiverton, hoping that by this co- 
operation with the French the British army in Newport 
could either be captured or driven from its stronghold. 

On August 9, 1778, the transports that had accompanied 
Admiral d'Estaing's fleet landed their troops on Conanicut, 
while the Americans imder General Sullivan crossed from 
Tiverton to the northern end of Aquidneck, where they 
took possession of the forts abandoned by the enemy. But 
at this moment General Lord Howe, with a large fleet, 
rounded Point Judith, changing the condition of affairs 
completely. 

D'Estaign cared little for co-operating with the Amer- 
ican volunteers on land; he was eager to have his fleet 
distinguished by a combat with the powerful one of the 
British. So he hurried the troops on board the trans- 
ports, regardless of the remonstrance of his allies, and put 
to sea. 

The French thus lost an unequalled opportunity of cap- 
turing the garrison at Newport. But General Sullivan was 
by no means disheartened, and pushed a strong detachment 
of light troops to within a mile and a half of the British 
lines. A council of war decided that an attack should be 
made on the morning of August 12, and all arrangements 
were hastily but thoroughly made. But, unluckily for the 



NKWFORT IM IKING THE WAR 

AiiioT'ican cause (and for the second time on Hliodc Island), 
llie strong ai'ni of nature was stretched foi'tli io protect the 
British, as a great storm suddenly rose and swept the 
country. Trees, fences, and ])ai'ns wei-e levcHed l)y the 
wind. Hail and rain fell in torrents; a fierce gale lashed 
the waves on the coast, beating on the rocks, and actually 
sweeping the water over the lower part of the town. The 
English fleet put to sea and the French fleet sailed in pur- 
suit, but there were three days of peril, and during the 
hurricane each ship was forced to think of its own safety, 
with the result that all were scattered. Tw^o of the French 
Aessels were dismantled, but the remainder gathered to- 
gether as the fury of the gale abated, and when chance 
threw two of the British vessels in their way a fight ensued 
that ended in the capture of the " Senegal" and " Care- 
aes." Although this success of the French resulted in 
driving the enemy's fleet from Newport harbor, the Amer- 
icans were not benefited. The havoc on shore was fright- 
fid. The wind swept over the island and seemed to blow^ 
from every quarter at once. Cattle, horses, and men per- 
ished in numbers, for the Americans had only temporary 
sheltei-s that were destroyed by the tempest, making the 
night of August 12 a memorable one to all on or near 
Aquidneck. 

At daj^break on August 15 General Sullivan ordei-ed his 
army to march on Newport. The enemy occupied their 
outside line of intrenchments, where they quietly awaited 
the attack, and that night both armies lay in full sight of 
each other. By a clever movement the Americans gained 
control of Honpnan's Hill, that connnanded the Bliss 
Hill breastworks. 

Both sides began a heavy cannonade, tliat was kept 
up until tlie L'Oth, and even while under fire intrenchments 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

were hastily thrown up by both British and Americans. 
Notwithstanding their superior strength, the British were 
dislodged and forced to abandon some of their outworks 
and fall back on Miantonomi Hill, where there was a strong 
redoubt well supplied with sweet water from a spring 
within its enclosures. It overlooked the bay and Codding- 
ton's Cove, and was protected by the guns of the fleet. 

The advantage gained by the Americans was steadily 
pushed by General Sullivan until, by August 27, the enemy 
had only one of their original outworks in their own pos- 
session. But the Americans were raw and undisciplined. 
Each man thought and acted for himself, and when tired 
of fighting simply walked oif toward home, and, to his dis- 
may. General Sullivan saw that his small army was melt- 
ing away, sickened by the sight of blood, tired of camp 
life, their patriotic ardor having oozed away when tested. 
Provisions were scarce, while the pay was poor and uncer- 
tain. At this crucial moment General Sullivan, who had 
been counting on aid from the French fleet, fomid himself 
abandoned by friends on both land and water just as vic- 
tory seemed within his grasp. 

The Rhode Island Assembly had confidently counted on 
cajituring the whole British force in Newport, when it 
learned that the fleet had been dispersed and that the 
French had returned to the mouth of the harbor; but at 
this time, when co-operation was so essential to the suc- 
cess of the American arms, Admiral d'Estaing quietly 
sailed for Boston, declaring as a reason that his vessels 
must be refitted, since they had suffered from the storm 
and also from the encounters with the enemy. 

To the dismay of Sullivan, he discovered that desertions 
increased, so that by the 28th of August nearly three thou- 
sand of his men had left him. 

193 



NF.WPOR'r DURINC; THK WAR 

Colonel Trunibnll gives a spirited account of the battle 
of Rhode Island and a singular illustration of the common 
saying among soldiers, " Every bullet has its billet." 
Truml)ull, who was a very young fellow, was acting as 
voluiitcci' ;ii(lc to (iciicral Sullivan. :iii(l wi'oic: 

"As 1 n.dc hack 1.. the main Ix.dy ..n IJuH's Hill, 1 fell 
in witli a ]»arty of soldiers bearing a wounded officer on a 
litter, whom I found to be my friend 11. Sherburne, brother 
of Mrs. John Langdon, of Portsmoutli, New Hampshire, a 
fellow- volunteer. They were carrying him to a surgeon in 
the rear to have his leg amputated. He had just been 
wounded by a random ball while sitting at brcjikfast. This 
was a source of lasting mortification, as he told mc after- 
wards, ' If this had happened to me on the field, in active 
duty, the loss of a leg might have l)een borne, but to be 
condenmed through all my future life to say I lost mj' leg 
under a breakfast table is too bad.' Mi". Rufus King was 
acting that day as volunteer aide-de-camp to General 
Glover, w'hose head-quarters were in the Dudley house at 
the foot and east of Quaker Hill, distant from the con- 
tested position of the rear-guard a long mile. The general 
and the officers who composed his family were seated at 
breakfast, their horses standing saddled at the door. The 
firing on the heights of the hill became heavy and incessant, 
w^hen the general directed Mr. King (a young lawyer of 
twenty-three) to mount and see wdiat and whei-e the firing 
was. He (piitted the table. Poor Sherburne took his chair, 
and was hardly seated when a spent cannon-ball from the 
scene of operations boimded in at the open window, fell 
upon the floor, and, rolling to its destination, — Sherburne's 
ankle, — crushed all the bones of his foot. Surely there is 
a Providence which controls the events of hmnan life and 
which withdrew Mr. King fi-om tliis misfortune. 

13 193 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

*' In after life King frequently met Sherburne on his 
wooden leg, when the former would say, ' Poor Sherburne, 
that peg should hang from me and not from you. ' ' ' 

It was lucky that the career of the young lawyer had 
not been hampered in this way, for he was called on to fill 
many important positions under the government of the 
United States. He was sent twice by President Wash- 
ington to the court of St. James to represent his country, 
and this was, we believe, the only instance when a minister 
to that country succeeded himself. 

GENERAL SULLIVAN'S REPORT TO THE PRESL 

DENT OF CONGRESS AND PROCEEDINGS 

THEREON 

" Head-quarters, Tiverton, August 31st, 1778. 

** Esteemed Sir, — Upon the Count D'Estaing finding 
himself under a necessity of going to Boston to repair the 
loss he sustained in the late gale of wind, I thought it best 
to carry on my approaches with as much vigor as possible 
against Newport, that no time might be lost in making the 
attack upon the return of his fieet, or any part of it, to co- 
operate with us. I had sent expresses to the Count to 
hasten his return, which, I had no doubt, would at least 
bring part of his fleet to us in a few days. 

" Our batteries played upon the enemy's works for sev- 
eral days with apparent good success, as the enemy's fire 
from the outworks visibly grew weaker, and they began 
to abandon some of those next us, and, on the 27th, we 
found they had removed their cannon from all the out- 
works except one. 

" The town of Newport is defended by two lines, sup- 
ported by several redoubts connected Avith the lines. 

" The first of these lines extends from a large pond 



NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

called Easton's Pond, near to Toniouy Hill, and then turns 
off to the water on the north of Windmill Hill. 

" This line was defended by five redoubts in front. 

" The second line is more than a quarter of a mile 
within this, and extends from the sea to the north side of 
the island, terminating at the north battery. 

" On the South, at the entrance of Easton's Beach, 
where this line terminates, is a redoubt that commands the 
l)ass, and has another redoul>t about twenty rods to the 
north. 

" There are a num])er of small works interspersed be- 
tween the lines, which render an attack extremely hazard- 
ous on the land side without a naval force to co-operate 
with it. 

" I however should have attempted carrying the works 
l)y storm, as soon as I found they had withdrawn their 
cannon from their outworks, had I not foimd to my great 
surprise that the volunteers which composed a great part 
of my army, had returned and reduced my numbers to a 
little more than that of the enem}'. 

" Between two and three thousand returned in the 
course of twenty-four hours, and others were still going 
off, upon a su])position that nothing could be done before 
the return of the French fleet. 

" Under these circimistances and the apprehension of 
the arrival of an English fleet with a re-enforcement to re- 
lieve the garrison, I sent away all the heavy articles that 
could be spared from the anny in the main; also a large 
party was detached to get the works in repair on the north 
end of the island, to throw up additional ones, and put in 
good repair the batteries at Tiverton and Bristol, to se- 
cure a retreat in case of necessity. 

" On the 28th a coinicil was called in wliich it was unani- 

195 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

moiisly determined to remove to the nortli end of the island, 
fortify our camp, secure our communication with the main, 
and hold our ground on the island till we could know 
whether the French fleet would soon return to our assist- 
ance. 

" On the evening of the 28th we moved with our stores 
and baggage, which had not been previously sent forward, 
and about two in the morning encamped on Butts Hill, with 
our right extending to the westward and left on the East 
road, the flanking and covering parties still toward the 
water on the right and left. 

" One regiment was posted in a redoubt advanced of 
the right of the first line. 

*' Col. Henry B. Livingston, with a light corps, consist- 
ing of Col. Jackson's detachments and a detachment from 
the army, was stationed in the East Road. 

" Another light corp under command of Col. Laurens, 
Col. Fleury, and Major Talbot, was posted in the West 
road. 

" These corps were posted near three miles in front. 

' ' In the rear of these were the piquet of the army, com- 
manded by Col. Wade. 

" The enemy having received intelligence of our move- 
ment came out early in the morning with nearly their whole 
force in two columns advanced on the two roads and at- 
tacked our light corps. They made a brave resistance and 
were supported for some time by the piquet. I ordered a 
regmient to support Col. Li\'ingston and another to Col. 
Laurens, and at the same time sent them orders to retire to 
the main army in the best order they could. They kept up 
a retreating fire upon the enemy and retired in excellent 
order to the main army. The enemy advanced on our left 
very near but were repulsed by Gen. Glover, they then re- 



NEWPORT DURING IHI'. WAR 

tired to Quaker Hill. The Hessian column foi-med on a 
chain of hills running northward from Quaker Hill. 

" Our army was drawn tip, the first line in i'vont of the 
works on Butts Hill, the second in the rear of the hill and 
the reserve near a creek and near half a mile in the rear 
of the first line. The distance between these hills is about 
one mile. The ground between these hills is nicadow-huid, 
interspersed with ti-ees and small copse of wood. 

" The enemy began a cannonade upon us about nine in 
the morning which was returned with double force. Skir- 
mishing contiiuied between the advanced parties till near 
ten o'clock when the enemy's two ships of Avar and some 
small armed vessels having gained our right flank and 
began a fire, the enemy lent their whole force that way 
and endeavored to turn our right under cover of the shi[)s' 
fire and to take the advanced redoubt on the right. They 
were twice driven back in great (-onfusion but a third trial 
was made with greater numbers and with more resolution, 
which had it not been for the timely aid sent f<ir\\'ard would 
have succeeded. 

"A sharp conflict of neai' an houi- eiisiied in wliicli 1lie 
cannon of both armies placed on ilie hills played biiskly 
in support of their own party, "^i'lie eneni\' were at length 
routed, and lleil in great confusion to the hill uhei-e lliey 
first formed and where they had artillery and some works 
to cover them, leaving their dead and wounded in consid- 
erable numbers Ijehind them. It was impossil)le to learn 
the number of dead on the field as it could not Ix; a])- 
proached by either side without being e\i)osed to the can- 
non of the other party. Our party recovered about twenty 
of their wounded and took near sixty prisoners according 
to the best accounts T have been able to cf)llect. Amongst 
the ju'isoners is a lieutenant of (Ji-enadiei's. 

197 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

" The number of their dead I have not been able to 
ascertain but know them to be very considerable. An 
officer informs me that in one place he counted sixty of 
their dead 

" Col. Campbell came out the next day to gain permis- 
sion to view the field of action to search for his nephew 
who was killed by his side whose body he could not get off 
as they were closely pursued 

" The firing of artillery continued all day and tlie mus- 
ketry with intermission six hours. 

" The heat of the action continued near an hour which 
must have ended in the ruin of the British army had not 
their redoubts on the hill covered them from further pur- 
suit. 

" We were about to attack them in their lines but the 
men's having had no rest the night before and nothing 
to eat either that night nor the day of the action and 
having been in constant action through most of the day, 
it was not thought advisable especially as their position 
was exceedingly strong and their numbers fully equal 
if not superior to ours. Not more than fifteen hundred 
of my troops had been in action before. I should before 
have taken possession of the hill they occupied and for- 
tified it but it is no defense against an enemy coming 
from the south part of the island though exceedingly good 
against an enemy coming from the north end toward 
the town and had been fortified by the enemy for that 
purpose. 

" I have the pleasure to inform Congress that no troops 
could possibly show more spirit than those of ours which 
were engaged. 

" Col. Livingston and all the officers of the light troops 
behaved with remarkable spirit, Colonels Laurens, Fleury, 

199 



NEWPORT DURING THE WAR 

and Major Talbot, with the officers of that corps Ijehaved 
with great gallantry. 

" The brigades of the first line Varnmns, Glovers, Cor- 
nells, and Greenes, behaved with great firmness. 

" Major General Greene who commanded in the attack 
on the right did himself the highest honor by the judge- 
ment and bravery exhibited in the action. One brigade 
only of the second line was brought to action commanded 
by Major General Lovell he and his brigade of militia be- 
haved with great resolution. Col. Crane and the officers 
of the artillery desene the highest praise. 

" I enclose Congress a return of the killed, woimded, 
and missing on our side and beg leave to assure them that 
from my o\vn observation the enemy's loss must be much 
greater. Our army retired to camp after the action the 
enemy employed themselves in fortifying their camp 
through the night. 

" In the morning of the 30th I received a letter from 
hLs excellency General Washington giving me notice that 
Lord Howe had again sailed with his fleet and receivmg 
intelligence at the same time that the fleet was off Block 
Island and also a letter from Boston informing me that the 
Count D'Estaing could not come round so soon as I ex- 
pected a council was called and as we could have no pros- 
pect of operating against Newport with success without 
the assistance of a fleet it was imanimously agreed to quit 
the island until the return of the French squadron. 

" To make a retreat in face of an enemy equal if not 
superior in numl^er and cross a river without loss I knew 
was an arduous task and .seldom accomplished if attempted 
as our Gentries were within two hundred yards of each other 
I knew it would require the greatest care and attention. 
To cover my design from the enemy I ordered a number 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of tents to be brought forward and pitched in sight of 
the enemy and almost the whole army to employ themselves 
in fortifying the camp. The heavy baggage and stores were 
falling l)ack and crossing during the day at dark the tents 
were struck the light baggage and troops passed down and 
before twelve o'clock the main army had crossed with the 
stores and baggage. 

** The Marquis de La Fayette arrived about eleven in 
the evening from Boston where he had been by request of 
the General Officers to solicit the speedy return of the fleet. 

" He was sensibly mortified that he was out of action 
and that he might not be out of the way in case of action he 
had rode from hence to Boston in seven hours and returned 
in six and a half the distance nearly seventy miles He re- 
turned time enough to bring off the pickets and other par- 
ties that covered the retreat of the army which he did in 
excellent order not a man was left behind nor the smallest 
article lost. 

" I hope my conduct through this expedition may merit 
the approbation of Congress. Major Morris one of my 
aids will have the honor of delivering this to your excel- 
lency. I must beg leave to recommend him to Congress as 
an officer who in the last as well as several other actions 
has behaved with great spirit and good conduct and doubt 
not Congress will take such notice of him as his long ser- 
vice and spirited conduct deserves. 

" I have the honor to be dear Sir with much esteem, 
Your excellency's most obedient and very hmnble servant 

" John Sullivan. 
" P. S. 

" The event has proved how timely my retreat took 
place as one hundred sail of the enemy's ships arrived in 
the harbor the morning after the retreat 



NEWmRT DURING THE WAR 

" I should do the highest injustice if I neglected to 
mention that Brigadier General Cornell's indefatigable in- 
dustry in preparing for the expedition and his good con- 
duct through the whole merits particular notice. Major 
Talbot who assisted in preparing the boats and afterwards 
served in Col. Laurens corps deserves great praise." 









BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION OF 
NEWPORT 

ETTERS from General Wasliing- 
tou now reached General Sullivan 
informing the latter that Lord 
Howe had sailed from New York, 
conveying a number of transports 
loaded with four thousand men in- 
tended to relieve Newport. So, although the advantage had 
been decidedly on the American side, on August 30 a council 
of officers was called, when it was decided to evacuate the 
island. 

The Marquis of Lafayette had been stationed with a 
considerable force of men on the main-land, and he also 
reported that the French fleet could not leave Boston for 
several weeks, or while the vessels were under repair. So 
on the evening of August 30, less than a month after Sulli- 
van had marched to Aquidneck, the memorable retreat 
began. 

The elements had proved to be as formidable as the 
enemy, but the brave-hearted colonists had fought valiantly 
for sixteen days, making the campaign of Rhode Island one 
of the most gallant of the Revolution. 




NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

The retreat was well timed, for as General Sullivan 
crossed in one of the last boats from Aquidneck to Tiver- 
ton, General Sir Henry Clinton with his heavy reinforce- 
ments sailed into Newport harbor, and on September 17, 
1778, Admiral Byron joined the fleet with a new squadron. 
"Various changes now took place among the officers of the 
army and navy. Burgoyne had already sailed, although 
uncrowned with the laurels he had boasted he would win 
in America. Lord Howe was heartily sick of the cam- 
paign, and gladly returned to England with Sir Robert 
Pigot, who had so skilfully defended Newport. The com- 
mand of the army was once more in the hands of General 
Prescott, who took up his head-quarters in the town, while 
the fleet occupied the harbor. 

The Storm-King had his grasp on Newport during the 
year 1778, for another terrible gale visited the town on 
the 12th of December. This time sleet, snow, and ice locked 
the rocky coast in a frigid clutch, the wind was so severe 
that houses were blowai doAvn, and the thermometer fell so 
low that sentinels were frozen at their posts. The hated 
trooiDS from Hesse Darmstadt found their fanciful uni- 
form but ill suited to the intense cold. Their officers had 
not provided proper quarters for them, and in consequence 
so many died during the storm that the Newport people 
recalled it in after years by the name of the Hessian storm. 
Every fence-rail and many of the trees on the island were 
ruthlessly burned to keep the troops from being frozen, so 
even after the lapse of a century and a quarter Newport 
is denuded of forests, the gaunt rocks showing through the 
soil over acres of land. 

After the retreat of General Sullivan the spies in New- 
port were actively engaged reporting the movements of 
the enemy. Gertrude, the bar-maid, could always be de- 

204 



BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION 

Ijeuded upon for news that she gathered from the Gorman 
officers who so carelessly spoke their own hinguagc; ])ef'(n-e 
her. There was another woman, who wrote down all she 
could learn of importance ; this was given to a Friend who 
lived near Woods Castle on the East passage, who con- 
ceak'd it in a hole nncU'r a great rock close to the shore. 
Poles for drying clothes, and other signals, were displayed, 
when Lieutenant Setli ('hapin would row across Seaconnet 
from Little Compton, get the packet, and forward it to 
General Gates. Lieutenant Chapin and his aides were 
rewarded by the government for their timely assistance. 

Newport harbor was not the only scene of naval en- 
gagements. Seaconnet River had also its share of exciting 
and hair-breadth escapes on the part of the American 
coasters who tried to run the blockade up the east passage, 
the arm of Narragansett Bay that connects Movmt Hope 
Bay Avith the Atlantic Ocean. 

The admiral of the British fleet was far too sharp to 
leaA'e this convenient back door open, and there was always 
one or more of his Majesty's ships stationed off Seaconnet 
Point, so between that and Sachuest Point as far north as 
Fogland Ferry the eastern passage was actively patrolled. 
But notwithstanding the vigilance of the enemy, the Amer- 
icans could always cross the passage by means of their 
cunningly contrived signals between the farmers' wives 
on Baker's Hill and Little Compton. B.y their means the 
movements of the enemy were so rapidly comnuniicated 
that forays were often diverted, while safe conmiunication 
was kept up with the main-land. 

The most noteworthy scene that happened in Seaconnet 
Bay was in 1778, while the British occupied Newport and 
all the southern portion of the island. 

It was, of course, a great object with the enemy to cut 

305 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

off all communication by sea from the inland parts of the 
Rhode Island colonj^ To insure this the harbor was well 
guarded, and a galley named the " Pigot," heavily armed 
and manned by a crew of forty-five men, commanded by 
Lieutenant Dudley, patrolled the bay and east passage and 
effectually blocked the entrance to the coastwise vessels 
that tried to slip past. 

The Americans under Major Talbot determined on cap- 
turing the *' Pigot," and for this purpose they equipped a 
small sloop called the " Hawk," placing on her seventy-five 
picked men. The " Hawk" dropped down the bay from 
Providence, passing the fort at Bristol Ferry without in- 
jury, and, rounding Commonsense Point, the extreme north- 
ern cape of Aquidneck, anchored close to the shore in a 
sheltered little bay. Here the commander, Major Talbot, 
landed. He collected information from the women in the 
neighborhood regarding the movements of the " Pigot," 
the number of her men, etc., but was warned that the ves- 
sel was protected by a strong boarding-netting. 

Nothing daunted, Talbot regained his vessel, where he 
made his plans to attack the " Pigot" November 4, 1778. 
The late Henry Tuckerman, in his life of Talbot, says, "As 
the sloop dropped silently down the river they lashed a 
kedge anchor to the jib-boom to tear and at the same time 
grapple with the nettings of the * Pigot.' They drifted by 
Fogland Ferry imder bare poles without being discovered, 
although they saw the sentinel each time he passed the bar- 
rack light. This was a most auspicious circumstance, for 
one shot would have given an alarm to the galley. 

"All hands being ready for action, they again hoisted 
sail, but, fearing they should run astray of their object in 
the darkness, soon cast anchor once more, lowered a boat, 
and went in search of her with muffled oars. They had 



BRITISH AND FRI-.NCH OCCUPATION 

proceeded but a few rods when lier sombre form was seen 
rising in the gloom ; they noted how she rode with the wind 
and tide, returiied to the ' Hawk,' and directed her course 
accordingly. They were hailed, but made no answer. 
"When nearly alongside a volley of musketry was dis- 
charged at them, but before the ' Pigot' could fire one gun 
the jib-boom of the * Hawk' had torn through the nettings 
and grappled the fore-shrouds, while their salute had been 
amply returned and Lieutenant Helm, followed by his de- 
taclmient, mounted the deck sword in hand. With shouts 
the crew of the ' Hawk' drove every man into the hold of 
the galley except the commander, who fought desperately 
in his shirt and drawers until convinced that resistance 
was useless. When informed, however, that he was van- 
quished by a little sloop, he we})t over his inevitable dis- 
grace." 

This valiant enterprise was accomplished without loss 
of life on either side. The crew with their hysterical com- 
mander were made prisoners, and one more laurel-leaf was 
added to the wreath the Rhode Island sailor-boys plucked 
from the brows of their tormentors, who should have been 
their guardians but not their foes, the heroes who could 
fight and cry at the same time. 

The year 1779 opened sadly for the Americans on the 
shores of Narragansett Bay. One or two sliarp conflicts 
took place between their vessels and the Britisli men-of- 
war. Raids were made by the enemy on Point Judith and 
Conanicut, so that even the capture of a brig l)ound for 
New York by the Yankees during the last days of 1778 did 
not recompense them for the losses sustained dnring the 
previous campaign. 

Forays by the enemy were made on New Bedford and 
Nantucket from Newport, while at the same time the vil- 

307 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

lages of Norwalk, Stamford, and Fairfield, on the shores 
of Connecticut, were ravaged by the troops from New 
York, who descended on these unprotected places. Every 
house in Norwalk and Fairfield was burnt to the ground, 
the inhabitants barely saving their lives, while the towns 
were pillaged by the troops. The name of Governor Tryon 
is still execrated at those places, where the only thing left 
to the unfortunate people is still shown, and these sorrow- 
ful memories recalled through it. It is a large arm-chair, 
which was selected by Governor Tryon for his own use and 
carried by his orders to a neighboring hill for him to sit 
in to watch the conflagration of the villages. When Gov- 
ernor Tryon 's grandson, the late Admiral Tryon, per- 
ished with all his officers in the " Victoria" a few years 
since, the catastrophe did not pass unnoticed by the de- 
scendants of the injured inhabitants of Norwalk. 

In July, 1779, a party of Tories seized Major William 
Taggart, with some of his neighbors, on his farm at Little 
Compton, and carried them to Newport, where they were 
put in jail. Their subsequent escaj)e is one of the roman- 
tic histories of the war. Since there was no American 
army on the island, the war on Aquidneck was confined to 
foraging expeditions by the enemy. The harassed women 
and children were impoverished; they were at the mercy 
of their foes, for the men were all absent. Fortunately for 
them. Sir Henry Clinton turned his attention to the south, 
and despatched transports to Newport the beginning of 
October, 1779, with orders to embark the troops. Stores, 
ammunition, etc., were rapidly placed on shipboard, and 
the vessels as they were loaded dropped do'wn to Bren- 
ton's Point and lay in the cove close to where Fort Adams 
now stands. On the 25th of October the British troops 
evacuated Newport, marching dovni to what is now called 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

lages of Norwalk, Stamford, and FairPu'ld, on the shores 
of Connecticut, were ravaged by ■I', troops from New 
York, who descended on these iinpi^'cted places. Every 
house in Norwalk and Pairfieb^ '»;..-; burnt to the ground, 
the inhabitants barvly saving th- i lives, while the towns 
were pillaged by the troops. The name of Governor Tryon 
is still execrated at those places, where the only thing left 
to the imfortunate people is s-nli shown, and these sorrow- 
ful memories recalled through it. It is a large arm-chair, 
which was selected by Governor Tryon for his o^vn use and 
carried by liis orders to a neighboring hill for him to sit 
in to watch the conflagration of the villages. When Gov- 
ernor Tryon 's grandson, the late Admiral Tryon, per- 
ished witli all his officers in the " Victoria" a few years 
since, the catastrophe did not pass unnoticed by the de- 
scendants of the injured inhabitants of Norwalk. 

In July, 1779. a party of Tories seized Major William 
Taggart, with some of his neighbors, on his farm at Little 
Compton, and carried them to Newport, where they were 
put in jail. Their subsequent escape is one of the roman- 
tic histories of the war. Since there was no American 
army on the island, the war on Aquidneck was confined to 
foraging expeditions by the enemy. The harassed women 
and children were impoverished; they were at the mercy 
of their foes, for the men were all absent. Fortunately for 
them, Sir Henry Clinton turned his attention to the south, 
and despatched transports to Newport the beginning of 
October, 1779, with orders t<i embark the troops. Stores, 
ammunition, etc.. were rapidly pla<?ed on shipboard, and 
the vessels as they were loaded dropped down to 1 - 
ton- 5Viint and lay in the cove cli>se to where Fon 
now 8U*nds. On the 25th of October t! 
evacuated Newport, marching down to w, ui> a 

906 



BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION 

" Chastellux's Landing," on Wellington Avenue, where the 
great whale-boats waited to convey them to the ships. One 
by one the redcoats disappeared over the sides of their ves- 
sels, anxiously watched by a few citizens who gathered on 
Beacon Hill, eager to see the last of the hated enemy and 
desirous of being able to flash the news of their departure 
to every beacon station in Boston, New York, or Phila- 
delphia. 

Havoc and desolation were the portion of the ill-ha})ped 
town. More than five himdred houses had been destroyed. 
All the farm-houses, barns, windmills, etc., within five miles 
of New^Dort had been burned, farm implements had been 
ruined, the wells choked, the forests cut down, the barracks 
burned, almost every church had been desecrated, the light- 
house at Beaver Tail overthrown into the water, and kegs 
of powder exploded in the " Stone Tower" on the hill with 
the hope of destroying one of the few ancient relics found in 
America ; and on the meadows or hills on which the cattle 
and sheei") had once browsed so peacefully there were 
earthworks and redoubts that showed where the battles had 
raged. 

The fortifications thrown up by the British left tlie 
most lasting impression of their occupation, for the land- 
scape was grimly pierced by these redoubts that can still 
be traced in the line once dra\vii across the island from 
Coddington's J^oint to Soaconuct River. The former is the 
best preserved, for the outlines of the fort can be clearly 
traced. No trouble has been taken to level the breastworks, 
and the hill looks to-day very much as it must have done 
when the British evacuated the island, for there is hardly 
a tree even to shadow the embankments. 

On October 26 General Stark took possession of the 
island, and the iimericans were once more masters of 

u S09 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Newport. Less than two hundred men occupied the garri- 
son, but they had all they could do to keep themselves alive 
during the bitter winter that followed. Provisions were 
dear, wood was scarce, and the troops had little shelter, few 
clothes, and less comforts. But the enemy had departed, 
so a hopef id tone began to be assmned. The princii^al mer- 
chants had fled, the slave-shi^js had disappeared, the fac- 
tories were closed, but a few of the citizens ventured to 
their homes to see if there was any hope of making them 
habitable once more. 

The Gazette issued by the enemy was no longer printed, 
but an enter j)rising editor returned from his three years' 
exile to revive the Neivport Mercury, and so little by little 
the to^vnspeople returned to gather up the remnants left by 
the British and start their lives once more under untoward 
circumstances but with undaimted calmness and resigna- 
tion. 

One of the first enterprising steps was to raise the Brit- 
ish war-vessel, the " Flora," that had been sunk in the har- 
bor in 1778, while all the men who could be mustered enlisted 
in the new regiments Rhode Island was raising. 

The State government tried to raise money to equip the 
men as well as to assist the impoverished farmers, when, 
to the universal consternation of the citizens, a hostile fleet 
suddenly entered Narragansett Bay. Troops were hur- 
riedly summoned from Massachusetts and other places, but 
after four da3^s of excitement and gloom the fleet sailed 
without injuring anything. It did not quit the neighbor- 
ing waters, but hovered between Montauk and Point 
Judith, keeping Newi^ort in a state of anxiety and terror. 

The French fleet had completely refitted and returned 
to Newport only to be blockaded in the harbor, but it was 
decided to disembark the army so they might occupy the 

310 



BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCURAIION 

lately built Euglish l)arra('ks at Brenton's Point and j;ai-- 
risoii the forts at Butts Hill and other redoubts north (»f 
the town. 

Jean Baptiste dc Vincent Conite do Roehaiul)eau, JSIar- 
shal of France, was i]i coniniand of the army. He was a 
tine-looking man, in his sixty-fifth year, eager to win laurels 
for himself and those under his command. He and his staff 
an-ived on the ship " Hermione." They landed at Long 
A\harf, where they were received with as nuich enthusiasm 
and parade as was possible in the dismantled condition of 
the to\\Ti. A troop of school-boys were hastily drilled, who 
with William Ellery Chauning at their head, received the 
Frenchmen, to whom young Chamiing made his maiden 
speech with great eclat. The officers were escorted to the 
quarters prepared for them, de Rochanilieau's being on the 
corn(M- of Mary and Clarke Street, the others in the houses 
hard by. 

As Newport now held out a prospect of being well de- 
fended, the householders hastened to return in order to 
welcome the French as their guests, but these gentlemen 
scrupulously paid for everything they required, so that the 
little to\\ii rapidly assumed an air of brightness and pros- 
perity to which it had long been a stranger. 

Indeed, Newport went through one of its quick trans- 
formation acts, for which it has always been famous. The 
British and Hessians, with their tyrannical and gloomy 
manners, had given way to friends who had gay, joyous 
dispositions. The streets echoed to the sound of horns, 
drimis, and military music, and wei-e ci-owded with a new 
set of gayly uniformed men. Quiet priests in their strange 
garb awed the itdiabitants, who respected the livery of the 
Quakers, but half dreaded that of Rome. The best part of 
the scene were the women, whose beauty delighted the for- 

Sll 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

eigners, commanding respectful attentions from tliem to 
which they had long been strangers. 

The light-hearted Frenchmen, ignoring the threatening 
movements of the British fleet, determined to enjoy them- 
selves, so issued invitations for a grand review, to be held 
on the 25th of August, the fete-day of St. Louis, and that 
of their monarch, Louis XVI. Invitations to this were 
scattered far and near. The town was not only crowded by 
all the belles of the neighboring towns, but nineteen Oneida 
Indians arrived to pay their respects. These savages were 
received most politely by General Heath, who commanded 
the American troops, and were introduced by him to the 
French officers, who regarded the braves with intense curi- 
osity. Presents were exchanged, after which the Indians 
returned to their reservation, greatly impressed with all 
they had seen, but not before they had gravely inspected 
the ships, listened to the thunder of the saluting gims, and 
smoked the pipe of peace with their hosts. 

The fete commenced with a grand review of the troops 
and a salute fired from Fort George as well as from all the 
batteries on the island. There was a glittering array of uni- 
formed officers, who reviewed the army, among them Major- 
General Heath, Comte de Rochambeau, Prince de Broglie, 
Comte de Segur, the Chevalier de Tiernay, M. de Tousard, 
and others. This great fete led the van of Newport's fes- 
tivities. From that era a new life opened for the social 
capital of America. 

The French officers, who had been so long at sea, were 
glad to abandon their close little cabins for the large rooms 
of the Newport houses, albeit destitute of the tapestries and 
meubles of their o^vn chateaux. M. Duval moved into the 
tavern called Pitt's Head. The quartermaster-general 
lived in what had been Moses Levy's house, but since it 

313 



BRITISH AND FRKNCH OCCUPATION 

had been abandoned by its owner, M. de Beville took pos- 
session of it with a nimiber of his subordinates. Tliis house 
on the Mall was aftei'wards occupied by Commodore Oliver 
H. Perry, who purchased it after 1812. 

There still remains facing the Parade a good specimen 
of a colonial house, variously called the Mumford or the 
Hazard House. A large number of officers were quartered 
here, while the Chevalier de Tiernay occupied a house on the 
Point built by Deputy-Governor Jonathan Nichols, son of 
the Jonathan Nichols who had been deputy-governor of 
Rhode Island in 1754. 

The Point was a favorite residence for officers of the 
fleet, for from the windows of the houses in which they 
lived they could overlook the ships lying in the harbor, 
while the gigs or launches could touch at the little piers that 
jutted out into the water in front of the houses in that 
situation. The Chevalier de Lombard stayed with Chris- 
topher and John Townsend, on the corner of School and 
Mary Streets, now used as a Home for Destitute Children, 
while Major Martin, whose house was at the bridge, re- 
ceived Comte de Charles and his aides. 

As soon as the festivities were concluded the French 
devoted themselves to strengthening the defences of New- 
port. The earthworks and forts were repaired, the lights 
of the harbor rekindled, the wells rcdug, and the troops 
distributed to the best advantage. 

On December 7 Admiral de Tiernay died suddenly, so 
Newport was treated to a scene that its Quaker simplicity 
had never dreamed of. The room in which the admiral 
died, in the old Nichols house, was converted into a chapel. 
The body was surrounded with lighted candles and pray- 
ing priests, following the usual custom of the Roman 
church. The funeral cortege was the most imposing pro- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

cession ever seen in the colony. Eight sailors carried the 
coffin, that was concealed beneath a magnificently em- 
broidered velvet pall. All the officers of the fleet and army 
followed on foot, and as the cortege wound through the 
streets headed by nine priests chanting a dirge, the scene 
was as impressive "as novel. It marched from the Point 
down Thames Street, then turned up the hill to old Trin- 
ity, where the body was lowered into a grave close to 
the church. A momunent of Egyptian marble with an in- 
scription in gold was sent out by the French govern- 
ment to eonmiemorate the name and deeds of the gallant 
sailor. This was defaced by the elements, but a cenotaph 
was placed during the nineteenth century in the church 
to his memory. 

Admiral de Barras succeeded him in command and M. 
d'Estouches afterwards took the command of the fleet in 
1781, but the greater part of it remained in the harbor 
during the winter, although some of the vessels were 
despatched on various errands. 

The officers of both army and navy were planning with 
General Washington for an active campaign, which made 
frequent interviews necessary. In order to welcome the 
allies formally, the commander-in-chief resolved to visit 
them in Newport as soon as his duties permitted him to 
leave his own field of operations. 

It was a loyal little place that gladly prepared to re- 
ceive Washington with due honors. The Tories had fled 
when the town was evacuated by the British. Many of 
the old citizens had returned and taken possession of their 
homes. Furniture was brought from its hiding places; 
Mirrors damp with moisture, with their frames tarnished 
by soil, were hastily hung on the walls ; silver was dug up 
from the roots of the apple-trees in the orchards, to be 

214 



BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION 

rubbed into pristine brightness; matrons and maidens 
decked themselves in their gayest colors, while tliey ex- 
erted themselves to prepare suitable lodgings for the 
national hero. 

Among the beautiful women of the place was John 
Wanton's daughter. He was the sou of Governor Gideon 
Wanton, and had married Mary, daughter of Henry Bull. 
Miss Coddington was a handsome girl who attracted much 
attention. The Comte de Viomesnil has recorded his im- 
pressions of her charms. Miss Coddington had been the 
first of her sex in Newport to refuse to drink the taxed tea, 
and, as has been mentioned, gave a party to introduce dried 
raspberry-leaves as a substitute. Miss Peggy Champlin 
and Miss Polly Lawton were famous belles, while Mrs. 
Hunter, with her beautiful daughters, captivated all hearts. 

General Washington, attended by a brilliant suite, 
reached Newport March G, 1781. They had ridden to 
Kingston and crossed to Conanicut, where a barge manned 
by local fishermen in white dresses met the eonunander-in- 
chief, who landed at Barney's Ferry on the corner ol' Ii(»iig 
Wharf, where General Washington was received with due 
honors. 

As his boat passed through the French fleet the yards 
were manned and a salute fired. The army was drawn up 
in order for his reception, forming in two lines from the 
wharf to the Parade, while from Clarke to Mary Street, to 
William Vernon's house, which was Comte de Rocham- 
beau's head-cpiarters, the streets were lined with the offi- 
cers of the navy and army and distinguished citizens. 
General Washington, with the foreigners, marched between 
the troops, and as he reacdied the house he stood for a few 
moments to thank the i^eople for his reception. One little 
urchin rallt-d out, " \\'iiy, father. General Washington is 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

only a man," overhearing which, the connnander-in-chief 
replied, " Yes, only a man." 

That evening the French had a grand torch-light pro- 
cession, and the town was brilliantly illuminated. The 
procession was headed by thirty boys bearing candles fixed 
on staffs, followed by General Washington, Comte de 
Rochambeaii, the officers, and citizens. The night was clear 
and the brilliant cortege marched through the principal 
streets. As the inhabitants were so impoverished, can- 
dles were freely supplied by the municipal authorities to 
all who asked for them. Next morning was devoted to anx- 
ious consultations regarding the condition of the country, 
and plans for a brilliant campaign were mapped out by 
the generals of the two countries. But by four o'clock 
business was dismissed and the party assembled for din- 
ner. This surpassed anything ever before seen in New- 
port. The windows of the square dining-room in which 
Washington was entertained still look out on Mary Street, 
while the room itself is much the same as it was one him- 
dred and twenty-five years ago, although minus the gay 
French flags, military trophies, and magnificent silver camp 
equipage with which the aides-de-camp, assisted by the 
French servants, adorned the room. These aides were MM. 
de Lamath, Lauzan, de Closen, and de La Touche. All the 
senior officers of the fleet and army were with the Ameri- 
cans seated at the table in the dining-room, while others 
were in the different parlors, etc., of the house. 

A grand ball was given by the French officers that even- 
ing in Mrs. Cowley's assembly-rooms on Church Street, 
three doors from Thames on the south side of the way. The 
chief officers on the Committee of Arrangements were the 
Prince de Broglie, Comte de Segur, and Comte de 
Vaughan. The room was beautifully ornamented, the deco- 

316 



BRITISH AND FRENCH OCCUPATION 

rations doing credit to the taste of j\I. Foteux, one of the 
aides of the Baron de Yioniesnil. 

Mr. Mason, in his " (■leiuiniscenees of Newport," says, 
" To Washington the honor of opening the ball was given, 
and when lie led ont the beautiful Miss Champlin, Rocham- 
beau and his suite took the instriunents from the hands of 
the musicians and played the air, 'A Successful Campaign.' 
How brilliant the scene must have been! The command- 
ing form of Washington in his Continental uniform, at 
his side the lovely girl whose beauty was noted by de Segur ; 
Roehambeau, wearing the Grand Croix de VOrdre Royal, 
with Chastellux, the historian, and many others, Des- 
touches and the notable men of the French army and navy, 
who foimd it hard to leave their ])ai'tners when the hour 
of parting came." 

The dance of " The Successful Campaign" is described 
as follows: " Lead down two on the outside and up the 
middle, two couple do the same, turn contrary partners, 
cast off, right hand and left." This is what in England 
to-day would be called a Sir Roger de Coverley and Amer- 
icans name a Virginia reel. 

Since the English when occupying the town had pub- 
lished their own newspaper, that they called the Newport 
Gazette, which was printed with the type and fonts of the 
American Mercury, the French were bound to emulate 
them, therefore in 1780 they issued a most comprehensive 
and valuable almanac, containing the names of all the for- 
eign officers, with those of their vessels. 

On the 5th of January, 1781, the old Newport Mercury 
reappeared. It had originally been printed by Franklin, 
who was succeeded by Solomon Southwick, whose printing- 
house was on Queen Street, but he fled on the arrival of the 
enemy, deserting what was a flourishing and enterprising 

21T 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

journal for the day. It had borne the motto, " Whenever 
our eoimtry calls, friends, sons, and sires should yield their 
business up, nor own a sense beyond the public safety." 

Before Southwick had left he had buried his press and 
type in the garden behind a house in Broadway. The Eng- 
lish employed all their spare moments digging in orchards, 
gardens, and cellars, finding much buried treasure by so 
doing. The whereabouts of the printing-press was be- 
trayed to them, so they put it to public use, while more 
valuable articles were privately confiscated. 

As soon as the conference was ended Washington re- 
turned as he came, while the French admiral embarked 
part of the army on the transports, which, escorted by the 
fleet, sailed on March 8, 1781, for Virginia, where it had 
been arranged that the French should co-operate with the 
American army. 

The commander of the British fleet, which had been 
lurking in Gardiner's Bay behind Montauk Point, was soon 
apprised by his spies that the fleet had sailed, upon which 
he immediately started in pursuit. An engagement took 
place off Capes Charles and Henry, at the mouth of Chesa- 
peake Bay, with the result that the French were forced to 
return to Newport without co-operating with their allies. 

The seat of war was now at Yorktown, where the bril- 
liant capture of Lord Cornwallis's army is a matter of 
history. The French had returned unmolested, and aided 
materially, so by the end of October, 1781, the inhabitants 
of Newport began to hope that the war was nearly over, and 
to draw a long breath of relief in the firm persuasion that it 
was indeed the breath of freedom. 

But a time of anxiety and interstate trouble followed 
the evacuation of New York, November 25, 1783, when the 
remnants of the British army left the country. The f orma- 

218 



HKIliSH AND KRKNCH OCCUPATION 

tion of the new governnient called out all the vanities and 
jealousies between the States that had been only dormant 
when they were united for mutual protection. Still Rhode 
Island showed herself as progressive and far-seeing at this 
time as she had done during her whole existence, by ac- 
knowledging that an independent government was unwise, 
and therefore loyally joined the federation of the United 
States of America. In Newport the citizens turned their 
attention to improving the condition of their town, and 
incorporated it as a city on June 4, 1784. It was divided 
into four wards, with a regular corporation of six coun- 
cilmen, four aldermen, and a clerk. George Hazard was 
chosen the first mayor. This office has been filled by many 
efficient men during its life of over one hundred years, so 
it may be invidious to name any who have been elected dur- 
ing the tune. Certainly the present Mayor Boyle must be 
acceptable to the people, since he has been re-elected so 
many times. Daniel B. Fearing and Frederick Garretson 
are among the men of Newport's smart set who have sac- 
rificed their private feelings to undertake the thankless 
task of being its mayor, as well as Robert S. Franklin, who 
also has occui)ied the mayor's chair, besides being a prom- 
inent Mason and i)resident of Newport's Historical Society. 
After the Revolution Newport resigned herself to her 
ruined condition, and began feebly to sti'uggle into a new 
life. The New])()rt Artilleiy, that had been incorporated 
P('l)inaiy 1, 1711. was languidly revived, for most of its 
active uicuiIkts liad dii.'d bravely defending their country; 
but the second war with England, in 1812, called tlie corps 
into active service. Fort Greene was hastily repaired and 
gaii-isoued. Although no attack was made on it, the troops 
were well disciplined and ready to defend their native city. 
This comi)any of arliHci-y is one of jlic dldcsl in tlic conn- 

219 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

try, and it is always ready to go to the front. It was in the 
field during the Dorr rebellion, joined the Union army in 
1861, and was present at the battle of Bull Run. When 
the Spanish- American War broke out the Newport Artil- 
lery was the first to offer its services, so that the loyal corps 
ranks foremost among the militia of the country. 

On the 6th of December, 1812, the American frigate 
" United States," Commodore Decatur, brought the Brit- 
ish frigate '* Macedonian" as a prize into Newport harbor. 
The womided were landed at Coasters Island to receive 
careful attention in the city hospital there. Stephen 
Decatur's father had been a native of Newport, so the citi- 
zens welcomed the conmiodore with doubled enthusiasm. 
But they became alarmed at the reports of a hostile fleet 
hovering near the coast, so, fearing an attack, sent the town 
records to South Kingston, while the banks removed their 
specie to the same place. 

On October 4, 1813, the revenue cutter " Vigilant," 
Captain John Cahoone, was manned with vokmteers from 
Newport and pursued a small British privateer called 
" Dart," that had hovered about the harbor capturing the 
coasters that sailed between New York and Boston. The 
" Dart" was carried after a sharp hand to hand fight, dur- 
ing which her first lieutenant was killed. She was brought 
into Newport, where the citizens received her with re- 
joicings. 

On May 30, 1814, a British brig-of-war chased a 
blockade-rimner on shore and fired " about two hundred 
cannon balls at her," says Mr. Ross, in his account of New- 
port, " one of which kiUed Mr. John Smith, of Middle- 
town, and took off the leg of Isaac Bassett." 

Since that date there has been no naval or land conflict 
on Aquidneck. 










"-^*J« 





' '' 








^ .•'.■ 


■ a 




1 .# 




tiV >' 


.,.• ^'^"^^^ 


m^S'm 


•i%' 


*i:^ 


l,IT 


'■S'ik^.^^^'^ 


.';'-' 


^' \ ' ^' 


..'jitA^t^ 




'^"-l"''" 


T^jsr^'Sw^feJs 




"-^ 


Jx'%-' -' ~ 


%Kt-R^ 


44^nrxCPott6r 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 




YOU are liar])oriii^ 
1 am amazed!" s 



iug Quakers here. 



Ji^oston to those of Newport who, 
witli liberal iniiids, had made wise 
laws i)roteetiiig people of all re- 
ions, sheltering Jew and Gentile 
alike, l)elieving that they could 
even be " entertaining angels un- 
>'»■» *'G:t,w.y aware, angels in broad-brimmed 
hats and russet cloaks." So, en- 
couraged by the protection offered in Rhode Island and 
the Providence Plantations, the Friends flocked to the 
shores of Narragansctt Bay, many of them settling in the 
to^vn of Newport, where they held their meetings publicl,y 
and immolested. 

The original records of these meetings, Avith the names 
of the membei's of the congregation, were accidentally 
burned, so the first authentic document bears the date of 
1676. The Society had been organized before then, for there 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

is proof that John Buruyeat visited Newport in 1666, as in 
his journal of 1671 the preacher mentions that he " again 
attended a meeting of Friends in Newport." His able ex- 
position of the tenets of the community created a deep 
impression among the peoj^le, who l.)esought him to live 
with them, and with the greatest reluctance they saw him 
depart for Providence, where he foimd himself called to 
attend an important meeting. 

But in 1672 he returned to the Friends in Newport for 
the May meeting, where he organized the congregation, 
aided by George Fox, William Bdmondson, and John 
Stubbs. They met in Governor William Coddington's 
house, that was then the largest and most suitable for the 
purpose, but frequent gatherings were held in the open air, 
for no one building in the town could contain the crowd that 
flocked to hear these fluent and convincing preachers. 
The ardent revivalists prayed " that all things might be 
kept clean, sweet, and well," drawing many to their simple 
faith by their lucid explanation of the Scriptures, that were 
a sealed book to members of the conmiunity who had not 
learned to read. 

This revival attracted so many people to Newport that 
the members of the Friends' Society became influential in 
the councils of the colony, for by the time the eighteenth 
century dawned one-half the population were of that sect, 
who Avere in the zenith of their power and prosperity in 
the conmnmity. Tradition declares that the first meeting- 
house built by the Quakers was placed on the east side of 
Farewell Street, opposite the old Coddington burial- 
ground, but this house was torn down in 1705, and, says 
Mr. Bidl, " some of the materials were worked into that 
which is now the north room of the present meeting-house, 
which extends thii.'ty feet north of the main building." 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

That the Quakers were influential in the government of the 
colony is shown by the men of that belief who from time 
to time lield the important position of governor. Among 
tliem were William Coddington, Nicholas Easton, John 
Easton, ^^'alter Clarke, Henry Bull, John Wanton, and 
Gideon Wanton. These names are still familiar to the ears 
of modern Newporters. 

Easton 's Point was once the property of the Society of 
Friends. It had belonged to Governor Nicholas Easton, 
who gave it as a marriage portion to his wife, Ann Clayton. 
She married, after Easton 's death, Governor Heury Bull, 
whom she also survived. 

This property of sixty-five acres was sold by Mrs. Bull, 
in 1698, to the Society of Friends, by which it was divided 
into parcels that were sold at different times, so to trace the 
title of the old fanu is now a troublesome matter. 

Rhode Island from the time of its first settlement was 
inhabited by members of many and diverse creeds or sects. 
For the most part they lived harmoniously, taking little 
heed of the manner in which others worshipped. Occasion- 
ally there would be meetings when discussions took place 
that were heated and obstinate. In some of these the cele- 
brated Roger Williams took part. He was quite as positive 
in his beliefs as the members of the other creeds were in 
theirs, and all relislicd splitting hairs in company. There 
was a remarkable difference, however, between the attitude 
assumed by the cohmists of Rhode Island and the Provi- 
dence Plantations from that of the Massachusetts settle- 
ment. Tlie former was liberal to a degree, permitting each 
person to please himself in all matters, while the fierce nar- 
row-mindedness of the Puritan settlement stands out in 
strong contrast, particularly in regard to the Quakers who 
were so cruelly persecuted. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Henry W. Longfellow dramatically presents the scene 
of one barbarous murder : 

" William and MarmacUike, our martjTed brothers, 
Sleep in untimely graves . . . 

When they tried to speak 
Their voices by the roll of drums were drowned ; 
When they were dead they still looked fresh and fair, 
The terror of death was not upon their faces." 

The Quakers in Rhode Island had the same freedom that 
was extended to them in the New York and Pennsylvania 
colonies, but the sect is no longer prominent. 

Eoger Williams never lived permanently in Newport, 
but he was a frequent visitor and deeply interested in the 
prosperity of the town, and it may be interesting to note 
here a strange accoimt given in the second volume of Riech- 
man's History, page 278, who mentions that the grave of 
Roger Williams was opened March 22, 1860, just one hun- 
dred and eighty-seven years after it had been closed. 
Nothing of the remains of the celebrated man was found, 
but, strange to say, the roots of an old apple-tree that had 
once marked the spot where Williams was buried were 
" well preserved, and most curiovisly marked the outlines 
of the body." The penetrating roots had evidently pierced 
the head of the coffin, then followed the spinal column, 
branching to twine around the bones of each leg to the 
ankle, when the wood had twined upward, embracing the 
feet. This was a novel and gruesome relic of the f ovmder of 
Rhode Island, but it was carefully removed from the grave 
to be placed in a case in the Historical Society in Provi- 
dence, where it is labelled with an appropriate inscription, 
like any other curiosity. 

One of England's naval conmianders was Admiral 
W^ager. During his youth he had been apprenticed to a 




fT' 



OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

J ..(^iellow rlrMM,:.n :iliy presents tlie scene 

of us murder: 

, ;Jiiam and Marmaduke, our martyred bi'others, 
KIwp in untimely graves ... 

When tliey tried to speak 
Their voices by the roll of drums were drowned; 
When they were dead they still looked fresh and fair, 
The terror of death was not upon their faces." 

The Quakers in Rhode Island had the same freedom that i 
was extended to them in the New York and Pennsylvania | 
colonies, but the sect is no longer prominent. | 

Roger Williams never lived permanently in Newport, I 
but he was a frequent visitor and deeply interested in the \ ^ 
prosperity of the town, and it may be interesting to note | I 
here a strange account given in the second volume of Riech- g | 
man's History, page 278, who mentions that the grave of | | 
Roger Williams was opened March 22, 1860, just one hun- ^ 1 
dred and eighty-seven years after it had been closed. -^ 1 
Nothing of the remains of the celebrated man was found, i 
but, strange to say, the roots of an old apple-tree that had o 
once marked the spot where Williams was buried were 1 
" well preserved, and most curiously marked the outlines > 
of the body." The penetrating roots had evidently pierced 5 
the head of the coffin, then followed the spinal column, 
branching to twine aroimd the hones of each leg to the 
ankle, when the wood had twiucd upward, embracing the 
feet. This was a novel and gruesome relic of the founder of 
Rhode Island, but it was carefully removed from the grave 
to be placed in a case in the Historical Society in Provi- 
dence, where it is labelled with an appropriate inscription, 
i ike any other curiosity. 

One of England's naval commanders w^as Admiral 
During his youth he had been apprenticed to a 



Rl-,LICiI()US FOUNDERS 

Newport Quaker by the name of John Hull, who sailed 
a packet between Newjiort and Loudon on the regular line 
connecting- the two ports before the outbreak of the war. 
When uearing the port a privatcersniau attempted to 
board Hull's vessel. The religious scruples of the cap- 
tain prevented an armed resistance, but he loudly declared 
what lie would do if uot liampered b}' his conscieiu*e, and 
then wcut l)('low, leaving Wager in command of the boat, 
whicli crowded all sail and steered directly for the small 
schooner, that had tried to hold them at l)ay. The good 
Quaker jieeped fi'om the companion-way, and finally 
roared .out, " (Jharles, if thee intends to run over that 
schooner, thou must put thy helm a little more to star- 
board." The command was obeyed, the enemy was sunk 
with every soid on board, and the notoriety gained by the 
young apprentice placed his foot on the first rung of the 
ladder that led to his being an admiral in his Majesty's 
service. 

Ne\\7)ort and Proxidence both claim to be the birth- 
l)lace of the sect called the Baptists. It certainly was 
founded in 1638 ])y " many of Boston and others," says 
Governor Winthrop in his diary, " who were of Mrs. 
Huchinson's judgment and ])arty removed to the isle of 
Aquiday." Another author says, "At the island of Aque- 
day are about two hundred families. There was a church 
where one Master Clarke was elder. The place where the 
church was is called Newport, but that church I heai-e is 
now dissolved." 

It is probable that many changes took place, and that 
the first congregation was reorganized before the tenets of 
the faith were fully settled, the data for wliich either does 
not exist or is so confused that early writers could not dis- 
entangle the web. But there is one established fact, which 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

is that in 1644 there was a Baptist church in Newport that 
grew, flourished, and threw out branches that have ex- 
panded over all parts of the country from this parent stock, 
and it makes little difference if the roots were planted in 
Providence or in the sister city of Newport. 

The principal doctrine of the sect was adult baptism, 
and one of the interesting ceremonies of the congregation is 
the public confirmation that introduces members into full 
communion with the church. 

This often takes place during the winter, and it is no 
uncommon sight in Newport, even when the thermometer 
drops to zero and the waters of the bay are frozen, to see 
men and women plunge into it with their pastor. The 
persons to receive the rite are appropriately dressed, so 
after the dedicatory ceremonies in the meeting-house, a 
procession is formed, when the whole congregation march 
in pairs from the church to that part of the shore called 
the " Blue Rocks." This spot has been used by the Bap- 
tists since the organization of the congregation, being hal- 
lowed to them by lifelong association. One of the principal 
Baptist churches has an entirely colored membership, who 
are enthusiastic believers in the rite, so much so that one 
old colored woman has received it repeatedly, having 
evaded the laws as she rejoiced in the excitement and con- 
sequent exaltation. 

The people of Newport have a strange custom, which 
seems to be peculiar to the locality, and to have been im- 
ported by the first settlers, to be handed down traditionally 
from generation to generation. Every Easter morning a 
large crowd assembles on Easton's beach before dawn to 
watch for the sun to rise " out of the ocean," as they ex- 
press it. It is declared that if it " dances," the year will 
be a lucky one to those who watch for it. If the sky is 

226 



R i: I . I G 1 LI S FC) U N D E R S 

cloiuly S(» the siiiii-iso (-aniiot be seen, llie supoi'stilious 
people ai'c (Idwiicast and uiiliapi)}'. 

Easton's heacli is always crowded with people Easter 
morning, who sing the doxology as the sun rises, clapj)ing 
their hands and receiving it with great rejoicings, l)ut this 
reniarkahle sight is seldom witnessed by strangers, to whom 
the ccrcniony of Ilic snii-worsliii) is not coiiHdcd. The peo- 
])!(' thotnsclvfs seem to regard it as a most ordinary and 
c-oiiiinonplace performance, which is done for their own 
jilcasnre and is hardly worth mentioning, having no idea 
that tliey are performers in one of the most ancient of cer- 
emonies ; but it seems strange that it should be religiously 
observed year after j^ear in worldl.y minded Newport, and 
has been unchronicled by any of the writers on the subject 
of mystic rites. The observance must have been brought Ijy 
the first settlers from England, where it was customar}^ 
during the sixteenth century, when these persons were liv- 
ing in their native land, " to watch for the rishig of the 
Easter sun," when it was greeted with cercnnonies that 
varied in different localities. Sir John Suckling says,^ — 

" ]5ul ..h, slir .iMii.Ts siicli a way, 
No Sim upon an Hastrr day 
Is half so line a sight." 

Sun-worship, with its various ceremonies and supersti- 
tions, can be traced to the earliest days, and it is interesting 
to Hnd it observed even in tlie twcniieth century by peo- 
ple wlio liave no idea of ils signilicance or origin. 

The lii'st elder of tlic Haptist rliur.-h was Dr. John 
Clarke, a remarkable man in many ways, lie obtained a 
cliai-ier for tlu^ congregation I'l'om Cliai-les II., and nnder 
the [)rotection of royalty the church flourished. A small 
meeting-house was erecied soon at'tei- the organization of 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

the society at " Green End," says Dr. Ross, where Dr. 
Clarke served as religious teacher until his death, in 1676, 
at the age of sixty-six. 

The old church was furnished with unpainted benches 
and a small platform for the preacher to stand on. It was 
miheated, so the congregation suffered intensely from the 
cold during the long prayers and exhortations. The older 
members contrived to keep themselves from freezing by 
heating stones in their own fireplaces and carrying them to 
*' Meetin' " concealed under their ample cloaks; but the 
younger members were not allowed this luxury, and their 
blood congealed with the cold. The church was lighted by 
two very small chandeliers hanging from the ceiling by a 
rope that had been painted blue and da])bed with spots of 
gold. The chandeliers were simply round blocks of wood, 
on which branches were nailed to hold dip candles, the long 
wicks of which would droop over the wax, making " wind- 
ing sheets" that dropped on the congregation below, and 
these rough lights were the only decorations of the un- 
painted meeting-house. 

Dr. Clarke was not content with his flourishing con- 
gregation in Newport, but was foolhardy enough to go to 
the other colonies with two of his friends, hoping to pros- 
elyte in different places. They visited Lynn, Massachu- 
setts, in 1631, when they were invited to preach, but while 
doing so they were arrested, carried to Boston, and im- 
prisoned. Clarke was fined twenty pounds or be whipped. 
He paid the fine, but Holmes, his companion, received 
thirty stripes, and then the justices ordered the Baptists 
to be banished from Massachusetts, to which they were 
commanded not to return imder very heavy penalties. 

Dr. Clarke first married the daughter of John Harges, 
of Bedfordshire, England, who died without children. His 

228 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

second wife was Mary Fletcher, who also died childless. 
His third wife was the widow Davis, who survived hmi. 
John Clarke was an eminent physician, as well as a fluent, 
persuasive preacher. He left a large sum of money for the 
education of children. 

This congregation of Baptists had several succeeding 
pastors, and among the most noteworthy was its sixth, the 
Reverend John Callender, a Bostonian and graduate of 
Harvard College, who entered on his duties July 4, 1731, 
continumg to serve the church faithfully for seventeen 
years. He died on the 26th of January, 1718, in the forty- 
second year of his age. He was a contemporary of the Rev. 
Nathaniel Clapp, pastor of the First Congregational 
Church of Newport, and was requested to preach a funeral 
oration on the death of that worthy pastor, which was so 
much liked that it was published. It was printed on the 
old press that had been set up in Newport hj the brother 
of Benjamin Franklin, which is still ju'eserved. 

Dui-ing the occui^ation of Newport by the British, in 
177S, tlie meeting-house of the first Baptist congregation 
was used as a barracks for " the troops of his sacred Maj- 
esty King George." Its pastor, Erasmus, fled to Warren, 
])ut the enemy raided that little town shortly after his re- 
moval, when they burnt the house he occupied and dragged 
from it his furniture and books to place them on a large 
bonfire, that could be seen for many miles by the terrified 
neighl)ors, each one of whom thought their turn would come 
next. The First Baptist Church stands on Spi-iug Street 
behind the State-House, between 15a ring and Slicrniau 
Streets. 

The Second Bai)tist congregation was organized in 1G5G 
by twenty-one memljers of the original church, who ob- 
jected " to the use of psalmody, the restraints upon the 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

liberty of propliecying, etc.," and they withdrew from the 
parent organization to form their own, to which they called 
the Rev. William Vaughan, who remained their pastor 
until his death in 1677. Their meeting-house stands on 
Farewell Street. The pond called by Vaughan 's name is 
marked on the early maps, but has been filled in. There 
was at one time a mill on it, erected eight years after the 
settlement, when what is now Marlliorough Street was a 
swamp. 

The Central Baptist Society has its church in Clai-ke 
Street. It was established in 1847, when it purchased the 
building that had been erected for the Second Congrega- 
tional Church. Of course, many alterations were neces- 
sary, for the place had been partly ruined by the British 
soldiers, who delighted in desecrating the homes of " the 
dissenters." The pews had been used for firewood, and 
a chimney had been run through the centre of the build- 
ing, but it stands on hallowed ground, and it is interesting 
not only for its historic associations, but as one of the 
original buildings that adopted the first lightning-rod. Be- 
fore it had been protected in this way it had been struck 
by one of Jove's thunder-bolts in 1761, after which the 
progressive pastor persuaded his people to protect them- 
selves by adopting the new invention, and Dr. Styles re- 
cords in his diary, under the date of August 20, 1766 : 

" Dr. Franklin's electrical points were erected a top my steeple. 
From the iron spindle there descended two lines of iron rod or wire, 
adown the North East and South East corners of the steeple to the 
ground. The points were of large brass wire, extending about a foot 
above the vane. They are the first and only electrical rods erected in 
the colony of Rhode Island upon any Meeting-house or any public build- 
ing, and I think there is but one private house guarded by them. In 
Boston, Cambridge, and a few other places in New England points have 
lately been erected upon a few Meeting-houses and the Colleges." 
230 



KII.K.IOUS I'OUNDI'.KS 



Ari<T the cv.icn.'ili.^ii (.r llic IJrilisli llic Ik. use \v;is ir- 
|.;iiiT,l, l.ul ill l.SL'O 111.' s.i.Mcly jciiicd the < '..iiKrc.-.-il i.Mial 
Cliiircli ill SpriiiKShvct, wlwii llicul.l huiMin- w;is Ix.ii-lil 
liy the Itapiisis, wlio ;ilt<'iv,| il Ik.IIi inside and .Mil. The 
wncraMc I'aison I'.liss. wli.. lived in "(livni I'lnd," was 
111.' ininisl.T <.r 111.' Sal.l.atariaii ..r S.'\.'iitli I)a.\- Haplisi 
Cliiiivli, llial \vas..rKani/..'d in Kwl, and William i'disswas 
its s('\.'nlli |)asl(>r. This w.ii-lliy paslur was (Hicc hapl i/.iiii;' 

s.. .'..iu-.tIs al (Iravclly i'oiiil <.n l.oiij;- Wliari', when lie 

a.'.-idcntally r.'ll inl.. .I.'.'|. wal.T, dra,';i;iiiK with him his 

.■at. ■(•Ill '11. The pair ll<.mid.'ivd h.'l|.l.'ssly al...iil, Tor no 

aid was .'.xtcndcd I., th.-ni l.y the (.id.M.kcrs, wh.. th.-ii-hl 
tli.'ir tidal immcrsi.iii an. I disappcaranc' was part <>!' tli.- 
.•.•I'.'iiioiiy. In .•ons.'.jii.'ii.'.' ^(i.xl Do.-t.n' l!liss was nearly 
dr.iwn.'d Iwl'iir.' Ii.'lp was ,i;i\cii to liim, and he was .Ira^-^'.'.l 
s[)iitk'riii-;' and hall' ciiiiscioiis Ir.mi llic wal.'f. 'riic .'on 
j'TC^-atioii ni.'anwhi!.' <s,i>\ into a stat.' .)!' liystcri.'S that was 
hair amiis.'ni('iit and half rri^lil. 

A st..i'y related in a spe.'cli l.y .). Staiil..ii (i<.iil.l at 111.' 
K'euiii..ii ..r the S..ns and Daii-lilers ..f N.'wp..rl, AiikusI, 
IS.')!), shows the ha riii..ni..us C.'.'liii-' I hat .'xiste.l in Newp..rt, 
])ri..r t.) llie war ..f the li.'v..liil i..ii aiii..n- Hi.' minist.'rs ..f 
all the s.'.'ts. 

Nathani.'l Cvcruc was 111.' fatli.'r <.f Hi.' .-.'lehrat.'.l 
Major-(J(')ieral (Ir.'.'iie, an. I was an appr(.\.'d minist.'r ..I' 
tll(! Society ..I' i'^iieiids, whose v.ii.-e was ol'leti heard at 
mcctiiig. Ml-. (J r.'.'ii.' airaiiji,.'d to I.e present at, the l''ri.'iids' 
ineetiiij^-lioiisc in N.'Wport ..n a .•.'itain .Sunday in Sepl.ni 
li.-r. lie was to he r.'.-eivcd us a j^iiest, in the hoin.' ..I' St.'pli.'ii 
Want. .11, in Hi.' ..Id Imiise still standin- <.ii l:r..a.lw;.y that 
was l.iiilt l.>- .l(.lm Wanton, tlu' son of Oov.'riior (Ji(|.'..n 
Wanton. 'I'll.- arri\al ..!' l-'ri.'ii.l (ire.'ii.' was s..oii known 
in the litll.' L.wii, upon whi.-li miml..'rs of p<'rs..ns hast.'ned 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

to present their respects. First among them were the 
two Baptist ministers, then the Jewish rabbi, Dr, Touro, 
" Parson Clapp and Mr. Honyman, of Trinity Church, 
until at length," says Mr. Gould, " every clergyman in the 
town was present. The party was completed by Dr. Robert 
Rodman, the most celebrated punch-maker in the colony, 
when in the united opinion of the clergy there was a clear 
indication that the finger of Providence pointed directly 
to a bowl of punch." 

The meeting became so convivial that it is historic, but 
the evidence of good-fellowship was so well established that 
" the next morning," to quote from the same authority, 
" all the ministers informed their congregations that they 
should omit their usual afternoon service and attend the 
Friends' meeting, recommending them to do likewise. The 
old meeting-house was accordingly filled to repletion at the 
appointed hour, and a solemn silence soon settled on the 
assembled nndtitude. 

At length Kathaniel Greene arose. Standing silently 
for a moment, his eyes passed slowly around the gather- 
ing, taking in each individual countenance in his survey; 
then, raising his voice, tremulous with emotion, he told 
them he had delivered his message to his own brethren in 
the morning, and now his concern was for them all. His 
text was, "Be ye temperate in all things." He spoke of 
temperance in the indulgence of the table, in the pursuit 
of wealth and of ambition, in amusements, and, finally, 
in the use of strong drinlis ; telling them how sinful it was 
to abuse so great a blessing, and that while its moderate 
use was to be received with thanksgiving, yet to abuse it 
until one could neither stand nor go was a grevious sin, 
disgraceful both to the Christian and the gentleman." 

As many of the audience had partaken of the contents 



Rb.LIGIOUS FOUNDKRS 

of ^Irs. Stephen Wanton's punch-bowl the previous day, 
and as the story liad leaked out of how nuieh the jovial 
crowd of ministers had been affected by it, a suppressed 
laugh rau through the meeting-house over tliis sermon fi-oni 
Friend Greene, and one of the female members, whose hus- 
band had ]iartaken too fi-eely of Dr. Rodman's brew, and 
given her nnich 1 rouble all night, was heard to whisper 
that she thought she should be " moved to speak in 
meetin'," when she would take for her text, " And why be- 
holdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but con- 
siderest not the beam that is in thine own e.ve'? Thou 
hypocrite. ' ' 

The Fourth Baptist Church in Newjxtrt was organized 
June 23, 1783, b}' nine members of the Second Baptist 
Church, who seceded from that congregation. They drew 
up 111) (IcHnite creed, l)ut desired liberty to worship God 
in their own way, and on November 30, 1783, declai-ed, 
" We agi'cc that we could not receive any into our fellow- 
ship th;it liold Ihcir fellow-creatures in slavery during 
lite." Their ineetiug-hoiise was in Division Street, but the 
congregation took i)ossession of tlu' Clarke Sti-eet meeting- 
house August 30, 1835. 

THE JEWS 
It is claimed that Yeshuat Israel, or Salvation of Israel, 
is the oldest Jewish congregation in Amei-ica, and the s\ma- 
gogue on Touro Street in Newport antedates that of any 
on the North American Continent. It was organized in 
1680. In Newport thei-e was always religious tolerance that 
was remarkable in the seventeenth century. Here both Jew 
and Gentile have ever enjoyed the freedom of conscience in 
worshipping God. A thread of romance is woven through 
the web of history that pictui-es the building of this old 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

house of prayer, which is interesting not onlj' on account 
of the personality of the founders of tlie congregation, but 
of the impress they left on the town they helped to build. 

The first Jews who made their homes in Newport were 
men of cultivation, enlightenment, and miwonted gener- 
osit}', whose names remain in the annals of the place for 
all time. Much was due to them, but more to the liberal 
sentiments j)revailing among their fellow-townspeople who 
first permitted the Jews to take refuge among them and 
then encouraged them to openly worship God after their 
ancient ritual, instead of driving them to do it in secret 
places m terror of their lives. So by 1769, out of the eleven 
thousand inhabitants of Newport, three hundred of them 
were Jews. 

Rhode Island set the example of liberality when her 
neighbor the Massachusetts Colony was persecuting Jews 
and Gentiles alike who did not conform to their puritani- 
cal laws. 

The exact date of the arrival of the Jews in Newport is 
still a matter of debate, although it seems of minor conse- 
quence whether it was in 1658 or the previous year. How- 
ever, it is almost certain that in the first named year fif- 
teen Hebrew families captained by Mordeeai Campannall 
and Moses Packeckoe (whose descendants became known 
by the name of Mendez), settled there secure of religious 
toleration, since there was no law in the colony " prevent- 
ing any one declaring by words, etc., their minds and under- 
standing concerning the things and ways of God." This, 
liberally interpreted, extended a shield over Quaker, Jew, 
Baptist, and other sects. The erection of the synagogue 
was due to the spirit and view of this handful of emigrants, 
who thus laid the foundation of a mighty race in the new 
world. 



RKLIGIOIIS FOUNDERS 

As late as the cud ol' the seventeenth eontniy the in- 
tolerant Cotton Maihei-, in liis " Mag-nalia," described 
Newjxd't '■ as ilie conunon rece])taele ol' the convicts of 
Jernsaleni and the ontcasls (.1' the land." How far tliis 
was I'roni l)ein,i;- a trne statement slight backwai'd t;lanccs 
over the history of the town will show. 

The first hand oi' llehi'cws was anti,inented in ninnl)ers 
in Anoiist 1I4, 1()!)4, when several Jewish families of wealth 
and respectahiiity arrived from Curaeoa or one of the 
adjacent islands in the AVest Indies. These people had 
been enconi'as^-ed to emigrate, for about the year 1684 the 
(ieneral Assembly of Khode Island had voted in favor of 
allowinLi,' Jews to settle in their colony. The new-comers 
were men of good business habits and liberal education, 
and once settled in their new homes they conducted a 
thi'ivinn- trade, making capital citizens. They sul)Scribed 
]il)erally to all educational enterprises, and made them- 
selves i-espected by their quiet but earnest devotion to their 
ancient laws and ritual. These men Ijrought with them 
trade secrets of great value, one of them being a process 
of soa])-making, another the rendering of spermaceti by 
a new metiiod, as well as the proper tempering of brass 
and other metals, so by their exertions several factories 
were soon erected that si)eedily attracted commerce to 
Newport. 

Whale-sliips fi-om Xantucket, Pi-ovidence, or New Bed- 
ford brought the i-esults of their captures in the Arctic 
seas to Long Whai'f, where Lojjez, the Jew, afterwards 
liad liis stoi'e-houses. Shi])-owners from other places 
were pleased to have such a good home market for their 
malodorous freight. The harbor of Newport becauK^ 
cj'owded witli shipi)ing, and its ])rosperity inci'eased in 
proportion. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Before that time the colonists had depended for their 
lights on caudles that were made at home from the wax of 
the bay-berries, that grew plentifully on the island. These 
were melted and run into moulds by the careful housewives, 
but after spermaceti was converted into a convenient sub- 
stitute for the native vegetable product it was readily 
adopted by the citizens of Newport, and through their 
means introduced into other colonies, and this was one of 
the first of many instances when the inhabitants of this pro- 
gressive place proved they were " men of light and lead- 
ing," and for this they are indebted to the Jews. 

There are no records to prove that a congregation was 
formed on the arrival of the first Jews in Aquidneck, but 
doubtless one existed in secret. Meetings were held in 
pi'ivate houses, where instruction was given by the head of 
each of the families, so the ancient lore and customs was 
neither unobserved nor forgotten; but all was done as 
quietly as possible, in order not to provoke hostility, for 
the poor wanderers had had many a bitter lesson and had 
too often experienced persecution not to be chary of laying 
themselves open to it again, even among their liberal- 
minded hosts. Therefore their services in no way called 
for criticism. 

But about 1755, nearly seventy-five years after the fii'st 
Jews settled in Rhode Island, a large accession was re- 
ceived in the community by the exodus of several families 
from Portugal, who were driven awaj^ by the frightful 
earthquake at Lisbon. At the same time the Lopez familj' 
fled to America to escape the Inquisition, while the Rivieras 
came from Spain for the same reason. Both families had 
been " Marranos," or Jews in secret, while pretending to 
profess Christianity, in order to escape ]3ersecution. Still 
these people had preserved some ancient scrolls, as well as 



RKLIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

many of the utensils used in their religions observances, 
that they snniggled ont of Enrope to be Ijvonght to the 
colony. 

Among other n()tal)le nien who helped form the congre- 
gation were Ilayni Isaac Karigel and the Rev. Isaac 1'onro, 
who encouraged their co-religionists to perform tlieir an- 
cient rites fearlessly and publicly, and for this purpose; 
they organized the sixty Jewish families who were residing 
in Newport into a congregation, raising a consideral>le sum 
of money for the purpose of erecting a synagogue. The 
foundations were laid on the 1st of August, 1759, and on 
December 2, 1763, the building was dedicated with consider- 
able ceremony " to the Glory of God." 

The Rev. Isaac Touro w^as the first minister to officiate 
in this edifice, where Ha}T^n Karigel was chazan (or cantor, 
the one who recites praj'ers). The architect w^as Peter 
Harrison, who carefully conformed to the rules for erecting 
such sacred houses by consulting the laws followed b,y Euro- 
pean conimunities of Jews. 

The synagogue was placed on a commanding site, pur- 
chased for the purpose. It is half-way up the hill overlook- 
ing the harbor of Newport, according to the ancient teach- 
ings that prescribed an elevated situation. It faces due 
south, regardless of the line of the adjoining street, to 
which it still stands in an oblique position. 

The auditorium is so placed that the worshi])iH'rs face 
the east when x^i'aying, the ark being erected against the 
eastern wall. This is according to an old custom, although 
not tlie oldest known, t'oi- ilie ]iosiiion of ilie ark was 
changed at different periods. While the Temple existed 
the Jews turned to the west when at prayei-. This seems to 
have been done to mark the difference between the Jews and 
tlie Sun Worshippers, or Parsees, and as a unite protest 

337 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

against these people, who were both powerful and aggres- 
sive. 

The Parsecs conformed to the ritual that taught them 
to face to the east where their divinity appeared on rising. 
After the dispersion of the Israelites those who fled to the 
east of Jerusalem turned about and prayed with their faces 
toward their beloved city, while those who lived to the 
west of it placed their ark at the eastern end of their sj^na- 
gogues, to pray with their faces turned toward that point 
of the compass. The entrance to the building is through 
a simple gateway, erected many years afterwards by a 
descendant of the first rabbi, the two pillars of which 
rejD resent those of Solomon's Temple, Boaz and Jachin, 
denoting strength and establishment, alluding to a passage 
in Scripture, — " In strength shall this house be estab- 
lished." 

The square unpretentious synagogue with its simple 
porch, gained by five steps, is lighted by windows opening 
both on the main floor and the women's galleries. These 
are supported by twelve gracef id columns, ' ' that represent 
the twelve tribes of Israel, which are the parent and from 
whom all Israelites spring." There were no pews or seats 
in the building, for the men moved restlessly about wearing 
their hats during the entire ceremony, and this custom was 
observed in Newport, following that of the European or 
Asiatic countries, long after the Jews in other parts of 
America seated themselves in their synagogues. 

It is more than probable that the corner-stone of the 
synagogue was laid with Masonic rites, according to the 
occult instruction imported by members of the Frater- 
nity, and that a little search would discover the marks of 
the mysterious script, the squares and angles, that reveal 
their meaning to the initiated. These signs were origi- 

^'38 



RKLIGIOl'S FOUNDl.RS 

nally adopted by Freemasons when buildinj^ the chnirhes in 
Euroi:)e in the eleventh century, for at that time the brother- 
hood were Masons indeed, and wandered from one place to 
another plying their craft withont other reward than tlie 
hope of salvation. But when Spaniards, Frenchmen, Ger- 
mans, and men of other nations worked side l)y side it was 
necessary to have a common language in which they might 
communicate their ideas to each other, and this was supplied 
by the Masonic alphabet and signs. In the old State-House 
of Ne^\1)ort, erected in 1739, that superseded an earlier 
structure, Mr. Mason, in his " Reminiscences of Xcwjiort," 
mentions that " there are initials and other marks cut 
upon the stone-work, left there intentionally by the men who 
wrought the stones into shape. At this late date we have no 
key by which to decipher them." Probably the members of 
the Fraternity could have enlightened ^Ir. Mason as to the 
meaning of the " marks," had they felt so inclined. 

The interior of the synagogue was appropriately l)ut 
not expensively decorated, and remains unchanged to tlie 
present day. The comnumal spirit of a Jewish congrega- 
tion was quaintly expressed, as the building was provided 
with an oven, in which all the unleavened liread necessary 
for its use coidd be baked. But, of course, thei'c were no 
pictures of men or beasts on the walls, that being forbidden 
by Mosaic law, but it is said that the parocheth, oi- curtain 
for the ark, was covered with unusually magnificent em- 
broidery, while the other appointments were of handsomely 
wrought gold and silver. 

The scrolls of the law were deposited in the ark that 
had so carefully been brought from Europe. One of them 
now in the synagogue is nearly four hundred years old. It 
was imported by the Jews who reached the island in 16r)S. 
These scrolls contain the five books of Moses written in 

239 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Hebrew characters, and are called Sefet-torah, " the book 
of the law." This Torah, that was rescued from the In- 
quisitors, is beautifully inscribed on parchment and is 
mounted on rollers. It is kej)t in an ancient wrapi:)er of 
historic value. 

For many years the spiagogue was closed, but now that 
its doors are open, the scroll is once more taken from its 
hiding-place to be read at the " Shacharith," or early ser- 
vice. Its removal from the ark before reading and the 
ceremony of returning the scroll to its sacred resting-place 
is a solomn and impressive fimction. 

The founders of the congregation of Yeshuat Israel 
were rich and generous men, who delighted in adorning the 
temple of God, but before lavishing money or ornaments 
on it they carefully paid for every exi)ense incurred when 
erecting their synagogue, and the last debt was discharged 
August 25, 1760, or three years before the building was 
dedicated. Then the Jews felt they were at liberty to 
adorn the temple raised with so much sacrifice and self- 
denial. 

They imported at different dates for the sacred edifice 
five candelabra made of bronze, that are still its chief orna- 
ments. The two oldest are dated 1760. One was presented 
by Naphtali Hart Myers, and the other by Isaac Pollock. 
Jacob Rodriquez Riviera and Abraham Riviera, his son, 
also gave two of these great candlesticks, the dates on which 
are 1765. Aaron Lopez donated the fifth in 1770. 

The synagogue in Newport has been the object of much 
contention, but it remains standing on its original site, for 
according to the reverent Jewish law it would be desecra- 
tion to move or replace a house of prayer with any secular 
building, or to sell a spot once consecrated to worship which 
afterwards might be used for an unworthy purpose; but 

340 



R SOCIAT CAPITAL 

lid are called 8efet-torali, " the book 

iorah, that was rescued from the In- 

uitifully iiifscnbed on parchment and is 

lers. It is kept in an ancient wrapper of 

years the synagogue was closed, but now that 

are open, the scroll is once more taken from its 

, place to b<i read at the ** Shacharith," or early ser- 

Its removal from the ark before reading and the 



(•♦mjony of rr' - ■- ^ 


scroll to its sacred resting-place 




'•a solomn ;p 


• function. 




'Phe found- 


I of Yeshuat Israel 


I 


were rich and ,;. 


j;htc'd in adorning the 


»! 


temple of Go(i 


iavishaig money or ornaments 


h 


oil it they can 


■ V every expense incurred when 




erecting their ^ 


:»d the last debt was discharged 


August 25, 17(- 


N-ears before the building was 


o ■= 


dedicated. Then '?'■ ?»-ws felt they were at liberty to 


2 J 


adorn the temple ) v ■.■. 


:th so much sacrifice and self- 


u 


denial. 




". Q 


They imported . 


' for the sacred edifice 


§ 


tire candelabra mad 


■r. .still its chief orna- 




ments. The two ol.l> 


was presented 




Uy Naphtali Hart ]\l 


!s;,a.' Pollock. 




Jacob Rodriquez RIami . . 


his son, 




also gave two of these gix . 


" ^ on which 




are 1765. Aaron Lopez d»» 


ti,i.*.'i the hi III iii 1770. 





Thp synagogue in Newpori iias been the object of much 

u, but it remains stand 'hc; on its original site, for 

to the revei*eut Jewisii law it would be desecra- 

!ve or replace a house of prayer with any secular 

' ^o sell a spot once consecrated to worship which 

i;ht be used for an unworthy purpose; but 

340 



Rb.LIGIOlIS FOUNDERS 

for many yoiirs at (lifferoiit periods of its existence it has 
been closed and apparenth' deserted. 

When the British troops occupied Newport and the; 
fleet blockaded Narragansett Bay, the whale trade was snd- 
derdy suspended, so the source of wealth being diverted to 
other poi'ts, tlie Jewish community, l)eing entirely in sym- 
jiatliy with tlie cause dl' liberty, either lied or were driven 
from thct..w)i. 

IMany of Ihciu gave money libei-ally to the Amerii-ans. 
Some joined the ai'iiiy, but the ancient synagogue, wher(^ 
they had found " freedom to worship (iod," was deserted 
and fared no better at the hands of the enemy than did the 
meetuig-liouses in Newport. 

The religious buildings of the Jews serve a threefold 
purpose, — namely, devotional, educational, and communal, 
— but it had to be abandoned, as there were no longer ten 
men left in the congregation, that were necessary for the 
purposes of worship, since women do not count as members 
of the quorum, to quote from the ethics of the fathers, that 
says, " re ten are assembled and engaged in the study of 
the law, the Shechinah resides among them." As this was 
not the case, and the rabl)inical law exempts women from 
the i)erformance of all religious duties which are to be 
executed at a fixed time, tliei'e ceased to be a " Minyan for 
service." In conse([uence, from 1790 to 1882 the Newport 
synagogue was practically deserted, although occasionally 
oi)ened for 2)rivate prayer. 

Still the descendants of the original congregation valued 
tlicii' comiection witli the first synagogue in America too 
nuich to allow it to be desecrated or destroyed, and they not 
oidy carefully kei)t tlie house in good rei)air wliile wor- 
shipping themselves with other congregations, but the 
trustees invested the income that was in the name of 

16 211 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Slieareth Israel so well that at the present time the old 
place of worship is extremely wealthy in its own right. 

The Rev. Abraham P. Mendes became minister to the 
congregation during the latter part of the nineteenth cen- 
tury, but after his death, in 1893, the place was closed, for 
there was no regular organization. 

On May 28, 1893, a new congregation was organized that 
received a charter from the State of Rhode Island on the 
13th of June, 1894, imder the original name, by a congrega- 
tion of German Jews, who had moved to Newport but who 
were not members of the first congregation, organized by 
Portuguese Jews. The old members of the community had 
never secured a legal charter after the formation of the 
government, so the trustees of the fund and the new congre- 
gation Avere forced to come to some settlement, in order that 
the synagogue might be opened under an authorized cor- 
poration. 

The Jewish residents of Newport in 1905 are quite 
numerous. They have three active societies, two of them 
for men and one for women, the latter containing forty 
members, although it was only started at the beginning of 
the year, by Miss Sarah Schrier, the daughter of Eugene 
Schrier. There is a well-attended Sabbath-school for the 
children of the congregation, so when the boys attain their 
thirteenth birthday they will be instructed in their duties 
both in the home and synagogue, and ready to become a Bar 
Mitzvah. 

The descendants of tlie original congregation were in- 
tensely proud of their connection with the old house in 
Newport, so much so that about 1902 an interesting wedding 
was performed there. The bride and groom were descend- 
ants of the founders of the synagogue, who resided in New 
Yoi'k, but they took up their abode in the city by the sea for 

243 



Rl'.LIGIOUS FOUNDl'.RS 

a few days in the middle of winter, for the especial ])ui'pose 
of having the religions cerenionj' performed there. The old 
honse had not held snch a gay throng for many years as 
was seen on that snow-clad day, when the interior of the 
sjTiagogue was decked with flowers, the elaborate Torah 
with its robe and ornaments was taken from its hiding- 
place, ilic bcaiitirnl pai'ocliclh liniig bcfoiv the ark of the 
covenant, and the \alual)le chuppah or nuptial canopy 
made ready for the bridal pair. 

The history of the J(!ws in Newport has ))een written 
frequently and at length, so it will suffice to mention the 
most noteworthy among those who left their vivid iuqn'css 
on the town. Among them was Aaron Lopez, who married 
the daughter of Jacob Rodricpiez Riviera, who was also a 
well-known citizen. ISIoses Lopez, the nephew of Aaron, 
moved to New York, but his body was brought to Newport 
to be laid in the famous cemetery on Kay Street. There 
were many others, but the man whose name is perpetuated 
is Lsaac Touro, who settled in Newport in the middle of 
the eighteenth ceiituiy, and was the first and most noted 
rabl)i (if Yesliuat Jsi'ael. His two sons, Abraham and 
-Judah Touro, were rich, genei'ous men, who were ])roud 
to endow their hii'thiiiace with lasting improvements that 
still redound to their credit. It was iVbraharn I'ouro who 
ordered a substantial wall to be built around the .lews' 
cemetery at the foot of Bellevue Aveim(> and erected the 
gateway before the synagogue. The cemetery wall was 
removed by Judah Touro, who replaced it with the hand- 
some iron railing and beautiful gateway that is now such 
an ornament to the place, connuemorated in lieni'v Long- 
fellow's celebrated poem. Judah Touro donated the thou- 
sand dollars toward the erection of the Buidvcr Hill moim- 
ment, the corner-stone of which was laid in ISH."), on the 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

fiftieth anniversary of the battle. In 1840 the project had 
nearly been abandoned for lack of funds when Mr. Ainos 
Lawrence offered ten thousand dollars if the necessary 
funds could be raised. The offer of Mr. Touro, who was 
then living in New Orleans, of a similar sum sjjurred the 
citizens of Boston to raise the money and finish the obelisk. 
The following lines were circulated at the time : 

" Amos and Judah — venerated names! 
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims. 
Like generous courses, running neck and neck, 
Each aids the work by giving it a cheque. 
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan, 
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man." 

There is also a street in New Orleans called Touro, after 
the Jewish benefactor who did so much to benefit both cities, 
and needs no other momiment. The burial-place granted 
to the Jews in the middle of the seventeenth century is still 
kept in repair and decorated with flowers through the liber- 
ality of Abraham Touro, the brother of Judah, who left a 
fund to support the sjaiagogue and cemetery. 

As has been mentioned, the Jews who fled from Lisbon 
introduced the manufacture of spermaceti. They formed a 
syndicate in 1761, so Newport claims to have been the first 
place in America in which a trust was inaugurated, and it 
was doubtless to this keen insight into business principles 
that the town owes its first prosperit}^ 

The Jews also contributed to the supjiort of Redwood 
Library, Moses Lopez and Jacob Josephs being among its 
founders, Judah Touro in particular givmg liberal simis 
of money to it, and it was he who saw the historic value of 
the old stone tower and gave money to have it preserved. 
Before his time it stood in open fields that Avere covered 
with dock and rank weeds, but it is now protected ])y an 



RKLICIOUS FOUNDF.RS 

ii-oii i-iiiliiig and stands in a square laid out with trees 
and crossed by convenient i)aths. This little ])ai'k ap- 
])r<)i)i'iat('ly bears tlic name of tlie good -lew wlio did so 
nuich lo licautifx- the home of liis fathei's and liis own 
birthplace. 

Abraham and Jndali Touro were the sons of the Rev. 
Isaac Toni'o, who arrived in Xew])ort al)out 1760 and or- 
ganized the congregation of Yeshuat Isracd, conducting 
services there until the war of the Revolution. 

Aaron Lopez was one of the heads of the families who 
fled from Portugal. He became very rich and owned over 
thirty of the vessels that hailed from Newport, the names 
of which were until lately printed over the pigeon-holes 
along the walls of his store on Lopez wharf. 

Aaron Lopez married the daughter of Jacob Rodricpiez 
Riviera, also one of the refugees, and their descendants are 
still living. Lopez was a most enterprising merchant, who 
sent his own whaling-fleet as far as the Falkland Islands. 
These ships returned laden witli many curiosities, besides 
the spci'ni of wliich they had gone in search, large ])ranches 
of coral, rare shells, new fruits, and seeds of many kinds 
that wei'e sown in the Newport gardens to bear novel exotic 
h'aves and flowci's. ^]v. Lopez fled froiu the ])lace in 177"), 
at the outbreak of tlic wai-, ncvci- to i-cturn to tlic colony, 
for lie died an accidental death some years after. 

Sonic of the descen<lants of the congregation of ^'('slnIat 
Israel live now in Philadelphia. Among tlicm are the 
Pollocks, Hays, and tlie Misses ^loi'decai. 

As an instance of tlie lionesty and uprightness of the 
dews in Xew|iort, a well known anecdote^ of Jacob R. 
Riviera has been |)resei-\-ed in the in<'inories of Ins fellow- 
townsmen. r»i\iera was at one time a very rich, prospei'ous 
man. lb' had his sons and daughtei's carefully educated, 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

sparing no expense to advance his family, while contrib- 
nting liberally to the charities of his sect, the Redwood 
Library, and town expenses. Owing to an nuexpected tnrn 
in biisiness, he failed, upon which he changed his whole 
habit of life, living so frugally as to earn the name of a 
miser, for he had soon re-established himself in business 
and was known to be making a second fortune. He kept 
his own counsel, however, for several years, and then, to 
the surjirise of the community among whom he had been 
living with such simplicity, he gave a large dinner, to which 
he invited all his creditors. When these gentlemen sat 
down to the feast, each one foimd at his plate — not the 
cards or trifles common at the modern dinner, but an enve- 
lope containing the exact sum of money due him, with the 
interest calculated to the day. 

These and many other instances of honesty and upright- 
ness in which the Jews were the heroes are recorded in the 
annals of Newport, so it is small wonder that they are re- 
spected and valued as citizens to the present day. 

THE CONGREGATIONALISTS 

As early as 1702 a Congregational Society existed in 
Newport, where they built for themselves a meeting-house, 
which it is said was one of the first in the colony. In 1720 
the First Congregational Church was regularly organized 
by the Rev. Nathaniel Clapp, who continued its pastor imtil 
his death, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, October 30, 
1745. 

In that quaint little blue-covered book called the New 
England Pruner, printed by Edward Draper in 1777, is a 
prayer by " the late Rev. and venerable Mr. Nathaniel 
Clapp of Newport on Rhode Island his advice to children. 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

" Good children should rciucnibcr daily, God their Creator, Re- 
deemer, and Sanetifier; to believe in love and serve him; their parents 
to obey them in the TjOrh. their bible ;md (•■•itechisni : their bni)tism ; the 
Lord's day; Loiin's dc-illi jiiul rcsmTcc-lion ; tlnir own dtvilli ;ind n'snr- 
reetion; and the day of .iudvvnn iil, wIkii .ill lliat are not lit U>v heaven 
must be sent to hell. And tiiry .should pray In (inL) in tlir name ol' Chuist 
for saving graee. ' ' 

The primer in wliidi iliis jtrayer is found is a rare Ixiok, 
wliidi, however, has been reprinted many times. Tt was 
issued for a ehild's school-])ook, and is filled witli quaint 
wood-cuts of original design. Tlie ali)hal)et is in vliyme, 
and ends, " Zebedee he did climl) a tree his Lord and iNIaster 
for to see," the figures in tlie tlunnb-uail ]u-int Ix'ing 
strangely out of proportion to the tree. 

Nathaniel Chip]) was an eeeentrie person at a time when 
the peculiarities of a ] (arson had to be extremely marked 
to draw attention to Ihcm, and even then they were con- 
doned, as they were believed to be marks of genius or piety. 
He was careless to a fault about money matters, for he 
had a hal)it of wrapping bills in orange peel, and tucking 
tliem on the shelves of his bookcase, under the carpet, or 
Ijehind the pictures in his study. His daily custom was to 
walk for exercise through the town, and if on his way he 
met any boys flying kites, playing at marbles, or with peg- 
to])s, lie would buy the toys from the children and exliort 
tliem not to gamble or " indulge in vain sport," Of course, 
the urchins took advantage of the simple-minded old man, 
and when they saw his black velvet cap approaching they 
would try to attract his notice, for they knew that the rusty 
gown that was girdled loosely rotuid his loins carried books 
on one side and cakes or candy on the other, with which he 
always provided himself to bri))e the youngsters to sell their 
traps. There was at one time a schism in the church, but 

217 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Dr. Clapp calmly ignored all disapprobation or complaints. 
He was finally waited upon by an influential committee, who 
assembled in the parsonage to respectfully request he would 
comply with the wishes of his congregation. Mr. Clapp 
stalked from his study into the parlor, where his parishion- 
ers were waiting for him, with a plate of figs in his hand. 
He presented each person with one, turned, and, standing 
in the doorway, said, loudly, "A fig for you all," and 
rushed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. 

One of the distinguished pastors of the church was the 
Rev. Samuel Hopkins. This gentleman left the island 
during the war, but returned when peace was proclaimed 
to resume his duties and recall his scattered flock. He was 
the hero of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel called 
" The Minister's Wooing," that gives such a graphic pic- 
ture of life in Newport directly after the Revolution. The 
house in which the scene of the story is laid, and where the 
heroine lived, still stands close to Port Adams, seemingly 
scarcely changed, although rather the worse for wear. The 
tale was entirely fictitious, for the Rev. Mr. Hopkins seems 
to have left behind him a peculiar record for a mmister of 
his days, and never went " wooing" until he met a buxom 
widow late in life, " who married him before he had time," 
said the gossips, " to remonstrate," l)ut the,v lived happily 
ever after. 

A second Congregational church was ineoi'porated and 
a charter granted to it June 10, 1771. The Rev. Ezra Styles 
had been ordained its pastor, but later accepted the presi- 
dency of Yale College, and was installed October, 1755. 
During the Revolution his congregation was scattered and 
his meeting-house occupied as barracks for the British 
troops. He was a broad-minded man, who was always will- 
ing to discuss the religious questions of the day with men 

248 




SOUTH 



Drawn by John Mumtord, Jjnuirv 3, I ;i ; 1 ; 
Names in brackets arc modern names, now added 



KKLIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

of other creeds. He formed an intimacy witli the Jewish 
rabbi, Isaac Touro, partly for the sake of mastering the 
Hebrew language, but chiefly in the hope of converting 
that celebrated man to Christianity. In after life Dr. 
Styles often naively expressed his surprise that his able 
arguments had never shaken the worthy rabl)i's convictions, 
but Toiu-o Hc'd to Jamaica when the war broke out, and died 
at Kingston, December 8, 178:5, at tlie early age cd' foriy-six, 
while Styles survived to a ripe age, neither of them having 
influenced the other to change his opinion. 

Tlie niiiiistei's of the two Congregational churches were 
deeply interested in the negroes who were members of their 
society, and combined to make arrangements for sending 
the black freemen back to the coast of Africa. Some of 
these persons were returned to their native land, but the 
experiment was luisuccessf id, so Dr. Hopkins and Dr. Styles 
discontinued their efforts in that direction. 

The meeting-house in which Dr. Styles preached was 
on ( Markc Street ; it was erected in 1735, and although badly 
injui-ed ])y the soldiei's dui-iiig the war, it is said that some 
parts of the original cliurch are still preserved. Society 
in Newi)ort in the last few years before the war must have 
been i)rimitiv(' ])ut ]tleasant. Dr. Ho])kins kept bis fol- 
biwci's in a <-ontiiiual state oi' excitement l)y ]ii'oponn(ling 
stai'lliiig \icws and opinions, iliai wci'c vclicmently opposed 
I)y Di'. Styles. The latter was librarian (.1' Redwood 
Libi-ai-y and a keen lover of books. He was calkKl upon by 
the citizens of the jjlace to preach a public sermon on the 
death of George II., king of l^^ngland, wlio died suddenly on 
October 25, 17(;o. at the age of seventy-seven, tn-ni the 
bursting of the right ventricle of the heart. 

Contrai'V to previous usage, the pulpit (d' the meeting- 
liou.se was hung in mourning. The house was crowded with 

2+9 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

attentive listeners, for Dr. Styles was greatly beloved by 
his flock. The text was from First Chronicles, chapter 
twenty-ninth, — " Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over 
all Israel," for donbtless the worthy doctor preferred to 
dwell on the virtnes of the new king while he glossed over 
the vices of liis predecessor. 

The salary of the pastor was small, but even then it was 
not promptly paid. The Newport Mercury of 1767 has the 
following description of the way in which the women of 
the congregation discharged their individual indebtedness 
when money was scarce in the community : 

" Last Wednesday thirty-seven young ladies of this 
town made the Rev. Mr. Styles 's lady a visit. They sent 
their wheels and carried flax enough for a moderate day's 
spinning, having agreed to have no trial who should spin 
most, but to spin good fine yarn, and as much as they could 
without fatiguing themselves; and accordingly they spent 
the day in a very agreeable, indvistrious manner; and at 
sunset made Mrs. Styles a present of about one hundred 
and fifteen knotted skeins of yarn, fine enough for shirts 
for the best gentleman in America." 

The Congregational Society of modern times has a large 
wealthy membership, and their meeting-house, erected 
about 1833, on the corner of Pelham and Spring Streets, is 
one of the noted buildings of Newport, while their archives 
contain many valuable records of the births, deaths, or 
marriages of well-known persons whose families have been 
received into the church since its foundation. 

THE EPISCOPALIANS 
There has always been an active religious sentiment 
stirring Newport from the very day of its settlement. 
" Saturday and Sunday Baptists, Jews, Calvinists, Hop- 



RKLIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

kiusonians, Quakers, ]\[oi-aviaiis, Nowliglits, Episcopalians, 
and others dwelt tliei'e liarnioniously," says Dr. Walter 
Channing, and although Trinity Church is by no means 
the first or the sti'ongest religious organization of the city, 
it holds a position second to none in the hearts of the 
townspeople, while the summer residents are proud wdien 
they are able to associate themselves Avitli this ancient seat 
of worship and buy a pew in it. 

The present l)uilding is not the fii'st that was erected 
on the site, for the original one was carefully taken down 
in 1725, when it was donated to an Episcopal congregation 
on the main-land, where part of the old church still stands 
in the little village of Warwick. 

But as early as 1698 a mnnber of Episcopalians in New- 
port formed themselves into a congregation, and it is 
claimed that Trinity was the first church to l)e incorpo- 
rated in Rhode Island. 

The Rev. Mr. Lockyer was called to act as pastor to the 
little connnunity, that rapidly raised sufficient money to 
build the simple church, that so soon became too small and 
inconvenient for their needs. This building is descril)ed as 
being '* finished all on tlie outside, and the inside ])ewe(l 
well, but not beautiful." Still it was only four years after 
the incorporation of the church, or in 1702, that the congre- 
gation worslii2)ped in a home of their own, which stood 
beneath the shadow of the old sione tower, al)out forty -two 
feet above sea-level, and was a connnanding ol),ject from 
many parts of the harljor. 

The handful of persons who composed the congregation 
could not afford to pay the salary of an efficient pastor, so 
they appealed to the London " Society for the Propaga- 
tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," for aid, and not in 
vain, as the Society .selected the Rev. James llonynian to act 

251 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

as their missionary in the little hamlet in the New World, 
despatching him to Newport in 1704. 

Mr. Honyman fomid a sjanpathetic and ambitious con- 
gregation, not only eager to learn all he could teach them 
of theology, but anxious to improve themselves by reading 
the books of the day. The report of the young missionary 
to his superiors was so favorable to his parishioners that 
the Society presented Trinity Church with twenty-five 
books, some of which are still preserved in the church-house. 
But their dog-eared leaves and musty leather covers are 
as dry and unattractive to the modern reader as the con- 
tents themselves. Many of these books are on religious 
subjects, but there is also preserved in the library a shelf 
of old Bibles and obsolete prayer-books, on the fly-leaves 
of which are inscribed the names of members of the con- 
gregation who have been dead for many years, and who 
are now only recalled by these faded autographs or by 
the tombstones in the " God's Acre" that lies beside the 
church in which they were once such noteworthy person- 
ages. The editions are not rare, nor are the bindings hand- 
some or richly tooled, but the books are preserved for 
their traditional associations. 

Mr. Honjanan succeeded in drawing within his fold a 
number of families who up to that time had owed allegiance 
to the different denominations, attracted to them by the 
eloquence of the preachers who occupied the pulpit, but 
not regularly enrolled as members of the congregation. 
With the influx of new connnunicants, as well as other 
persons, the church that had l^een large enough for the 
congregation in 1702 became too small for the comfortable 
accommodation of the new families who joined Trinity 
Church, so a subscription for rebuilding was opened 
that was so liberally responded to that a new edifice was 



RIIJGIOUS FOUNDKRS 

ooiiimonccd in 17"_'"), which was Hnislicd within a year, wlieii 
it was |)i'(iii(liy ciainicd Ihat " Trinity Clnii'ch was the most: 
boautifnl timber structure in America." Tliis huildint;' has 
been altered and enlarged at different pciiods of its ex- 
istence, but the interior remains |n-aciically tlie same as 
■when it was first built. 

The graceful white spire of the church lias served as 
a hmdniark for many a year to the sailoi- steering his vessel 
into the harbor. <'ai»taiii Kidd directed his cotn-se by it. 
The English fleets sailed in and out, steering by aid of its 
crowned spii'c; tlicir enemies, the French, pointed hy the 
same guiding jiinnach'. while to-day swift-sailing yachts or 
)»rosaic steamboats are directed by tlie white steeple of 
Trinit}- Chni'cli, the vane of which is still surmounted by 
a royal crown, tliat twirls glittei'ing in the sun far above 
the rebellious democratic citizens who many years since 
threw off the yoke their ancestors bore so impatiently, and 
yet \vith singular obstinacy cling to this sole remaining 
emblem of loyalty swinging in the air. This crowmi and 
the supporting steeple has, however, been laid low more 
than once by the violent wind-storms that from time to 
time ha\-e swei)t over Xewpoi-t. rushing fi'oni the ocean 
across the neck of land that sepai-ates it from tlie land- 
locked bay of Narragansett, to leave havoc and desolation 
in its wake. 

Less than fifty yeai-s after the little wooden church was 
built on the side of the hill, close to which clustered the 
oldest houses in Newport, a violent storm destroyed part 
of the spire, wrenching the royal crown from its ])romi- 
nent position and necessitating expensive repairs, but the 
emblem of royalty was jiromptly replaced. 

A letter in Fannly Records and Events describes the 
condition of affairs: 

253 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

" Newport, R. I. 
' ' To Mk. Peter Van Brugh Livingston : 

" SiR,^ — I the more readily engage in this, knowing your great esteem 
for the faithful ministers of the Gospel and your good inclination to 
relieve the distressed, and being favored with your acquaintance, which 
has determined me to address you on this Melancholy Providence, a 
detail of which I shall give you by saying that on the 27th inst., early 
in the morning, a fire broke out in the house of the Rev. Mr. Searing, 
our Pastor; which ruined the building, which was his brother's, William 
Ellery 's, and consumed the greatest part of his valuable effects, I think 
I may say not to exceed the sum of 5000 pounds of our currency, Leaving 
him and his family destitute of their necessary apparel and without a 
covering but the Heavens for him and his little ones. This afflicting 
Providence emboldens me in my request, etc., etc. 
" Your most humble servant, 

" John Channing. 

Again, oii October 19, 1770, a hurricane caused inunense 
loss of life and property along the New England coast, 
when Newport suffered severely from this gale. Great 
trees were blown down, several houses shared the same fate, 
and for the second tune the si3ire of Trinity Church was 
wrecked, while the coast Avas covered with vessels that had 
been cast away in the storm. 

This hurricane was not the only disaster of the time, 
for while workmen were busily engaged repairing the 
damage done to Trinity Church, it came very near being 
destroyed by fire within a couple of weeks after the storm 
that had caused such havoc, as two large fires took place 
in the town, one following a few days after the other. The 
first destroyed many small dwellings, some of them of 
historic interest, since they had been the first erected in 
Newport, and the old custom-house was badly damaged. 
The second fire swept away a number of stores as well as 
much valuable property on one of the docks Ij'ing to the 

254 



RKLIGIOITS FOUNDKRS 

westward of Long Wharf, and both threatened to consunie 
Trinity Church, which was only preserved by the efficient 
exertions of a ])U('l^et-brigade fonned by tlic women of tlie 
congregation, wlio worked valiantly to save their iiiiich- 
loved church. 

The belfry and clock-tower have a character of their 
own that is seldom seen except in old structures that, like 
Trinity, were built early in the eighteenth century. There 
are three towers, one above the other, each one growing 
smaller as it mounts skyward. The clock, presented to 
the church l)y Jaheel Brenton in 1733, still " points and 
beckons with its hands" when it is in an energetic mood, 
but for the greater inwi of the time it is motionless and 
silent. This clock was inade by William Claggett, who for 
many years not only made and regidated all clocks, watches, 
chronometers, etc., in Newport, but who added to his love 
of mechanism a keen enthusiasm for the hidden secrets of 
electricity, with which he made many interesting experi- 
ments. Above the Ix'lfry rises the tall, slim wliite si)ire, 
with its lightning-rod and golden crown. The old bell that 
for so many decades summoned the worshippers to church 
was i^resented by Queen Anne to tlic pai'isli in 17()!», but 
it was injured in ISO."), and the metal was recast. Thei-e 
is now a melodious chime of l)ells in Jlie tower, lliat ring 
out tlieir carilbtn on Siuidays and sainis" days, or pour 
fortli a merry ])eal for the brides as tliey leave the altar, 
or toll the last farewell to the dea<l who, borne on the an- 
cient bier concealed under a magnificent purple vehct pall, 
are solenudy carried 1)eneath the poi'lals of old T'rinity 
Church. 

The interior claims the affection of the congregation, 
who cling to the quaint high-backed square pews and an- 
ti<|ue ])iil|iit. No vandal hands have been ])ermitted to tear 

255 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

down the long galleries that hang on three of its sides. The 
old-fashioned pulpit remains where it was first placed, 
directly and most inconveniently in front of the chancel. 
It is reached by a flight of winding steps, so the rector, 
when in it, stands on a level with the galleries. Over it 
hangs a ronnd sounding-board, like a threatening extin- 
guisher. Directly before it is the reading-desk, and still 
lower is the clerk's desk, which, however, has been disused 
for nearly a century. It is claimed that this is the only 
three-decked pulpit remaining in New England, and the 
only surviving one from which the Bishop of Cloyne 
preached, all the others having been destroyed. 

Half a dozen pews are close to the chancel rail and 
beyond the pulpit, so the occupants cannot watch the 
preacher without turning around. Some of the old-fash- 
ioned ones retain the green moreen curtains, depending on 
brass rods, that hide those seated in them unless the cur- 
tains are drawn aside. The wardens' pews are distin- 
guished by verger-staves. The ceiling is vaulted and orna- 
mented with roses and grapes carved in wood. There are 
two tiers of great windows lining the sides of the church, 
to light both its floor and the galleries. These were once 
fitted with small square panes of glass, the sashes of which 
rattled and shook, letting in almost as much cold air as 
they kept out, which sometimes allowed it to whistle loudly 
enough to drown the preacher's voice. But within a few 
years one after another of the quaint old windows have 
been rei^laced with modern stained glass, placed there in 
memory of some member of the congregation, that do not 
harmonize Avith the old gilt chandelier, and the high-backed 
pews and old-fashioned pulpit, but make the church look 
like an ancient crone who has bedecked herself with the 
garments of her grandchild. 



NEWPORr. OliH SOCIAL CAPITAL 

down the long- !'j«)l<-i'i€8 that hang on three of its sides. The 
old-fashioiif<! pulpit remains where it was first placed, 
directl}' avid most inconveniently in front of the chancel. 
It is reached by a flight of winding steps, so the rector, 
when in it, stands on a level with the galleries. Over it 
hangs a round sounding-board, like a threatening extin- 
guisher. Directly before it is the reading-desk, and still 
lower is the clerk's desk, which, however, has been disused 
for nearly a century. It is claimed that this is the only 
three-decked pulpit remaining in New England, and the 
only surviving one from which the Bishop of Cloyne 
preached, all the others having been destroyed. 

Half a dozen pews are close to the chancel rail and 
beyond the pulpit, so the occupants cannot watch the 
preacher without turning afoimd. Some of the old-fash- 
ioned ones retain the green moreen curtains, depending on 
brass rods, that hide those seated in them unless the cur- 
tains are drawn aside. The wardens' pews are distin- 
guished by verger-staves. The ceiling is vaulted and orna- 
mented with roses and grapes carved in wood. There are 
two tiers of great windows lining the sides of the church, 
to light both its floor and the galleries. These were once 
fitted with small square panes of glass, the sashes of which 
rattled and shook, letting in almost as much cold air as 
they kept out, which sometimes allowed it to whistle loudly 
enough to drown the preacher's voice. But within a few 
years one after another of the quaint old windows have 
been replaced with modern stained glass, placed there in 
memory of some member of the congregation, that do not 
iiamionize with the old gilt chandelier, and the high-backed 
{)^ws and old-fashioned pulpit, but make the church look 
iikf an ancient crone who has bedecked herself with the 
ganw^iUp of her grandchild. 



RKLIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

iMany haiidsonie cenotaphs have lately been placed on 
the walls, some of them to lieroes of the Revolutionary and 
other wars. One is inscribed io the memory of tlie ,u:allant 
Chevalier de Tieniey, the French conmiander who died a 
few days after landinij^ in Newpoi-t, and was buried with 
appropriate I\oinaii Cndiolic cercnKinies in tlie graveyard 
close to the chin'ch. A liandsome monument to his memory 
was sent to Amei-ica by order of the French government, 
but the trustees of the church would not erect it within the 
walls, so it was placed over the grave, where the weather 
sadly impaired the original inscription and destroyed the 
gilded ornaments. Indeed, the tablets and mouiunents that 
now crowd the inside of the building threaten to detract 
from its quaint anticjue ai)i_)earance and give it the air of a 
museum rather than that of a clnircli. 

Queen Anne bestowed a silver comnnmiou service on 
the struggling congregation of her time, which is still its 
pride. The corporation also preserves many other l^eau- 
tiful ]>ieces of plate that have 1)een presented to Trinity 
Church. The great bowd sometimes used for christenings 
is a massive piece, peculiar in shape, richly ornamented, 
and valuable for its associations. The old alms-dishes are 
plain but handsome. 

The money necessary to build Trinity Church, in 1725, 
was partly raised by subscription and partly by the sale 
of the pews. The congregation was smnmoned to attend a 
meeting, December 8, 1725, to select their sittings in the 
church and pay the treasurer the amount that had been 
agreed upon beforehand by the rector and vestry for each 
pew, which then belonged " to the purchaser and his heirs 
forever," under certain conditions, and are still held in fee 
simple. To be the owner of a pew in old Trinity to-day 
is a coveted distinciion that seems to confer a certain social 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

standing in the eyes of the purchaser, and large sums of 
money are given for this privilege. 

The organ of the church has a history of its own. The 
first one was given by Dr. George Berkeley, Dean of Derry, 
ill 1733, and it still preserves the front, which is surmounted 
by a royal crown and decorated with two bishop's mitres. 
It was probably given in memory of his infant daughter 
Lucia, who died the 5th of September, 1731, and is buried 
close to the church, her name being inscribed on the tomb- 
stone covering Nathaniel Kay. But this instrument was 
not originally intended as a gift to Trinity or a memorial to 
a beloved child, and is an instance of the spirit of progress 
always prevailing in Ne\vport. The Bishop of Cloyne had 
been greatly flattered by having the town of Berkeley, 
Massachusetts, named in his honor, and the records of that 
town mention that when the bishoj) heard of the compli- 
ment he ordered a handsome organ in an oak case, " richly 
diglit," to be made and despatched as a present from him 
to the meeting-house in the town named Berkeley. The 
selectmen, when they received a letter from the bishop 
stating that the organ had been forwarded and was already 
in America, called a town meeting, where it was voted that, 
"An organ is an instrument of the devil for the entrapping 
of men's souls," and refused to allow the congregation to 
receive it or set it up in their church. A letter was accord- 
ingly despatched to the worthy donor, announcing the de- 
cision of the sapient selectmen of Berkeley, in consequence 
of which the generous churchman presented the organ to 
Trinity Church, Newport, where the instrument of the devil 
has done its work for many years in entrapping the souls 
of the bold, brave, progressive pew-holders of the parish, 
who betray no outward signs of the power of his Satanic 
Majesty, but rejoice in the possession of the bishop's gift. 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

Avliile the congrc?;ation .it Borkoloy step hea von ward with- 
out the accompaiiiiueiit of Cloyiic's (iri!;an. This served its 
purpose for over a hundi'cd years, wheu the corporation 
was forced to put in new pipes, ])ut the old ease ])resents its 
wonted facade, and a careless observer would not be aware 
it had ever been altered. 

The arrival of Dean Berkeley and his party in Nar- 
ragansett Bay was a noteworthy incident in the history 
of tlie day, for the learned doctor gave an impetus to many 
important factors that raised Newport to a different sphere 
in politics, learning, and art. He came with his bride, 
Avho was Aim, the eldest daughter of the Hon. John For- 
ster. Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. They had 
been married August 1, 1728, and brought with them a 
party of distinguished people. The Rev. Mr. Honyman 
was holding a service in Trinity Church when a breathless 
messenger panted u[) the steep hill to hand an important 
letter to the verger. That attendant, clad in a long black 
robe and holding a staff in his hand, marched uji the 
centi'e aisle, greatly to the astonislmient of the congrega- 
tion, to hand the missive to the rector in the pulpit. Mr. 
Honpnan opened and read the letter, first to hunself and 
then aloud. In it the celebrated wanderer announced that 
he was about to land in Newport on his way to the West 
Indies. Both pastor and flock seemed to consider this a 
gi'cat lidiior on llic i)ai'i of Dean ncrkclcy, so tlie service 
was abrujjtly concbided and Mr. Honyman, still in his 
robes, preceded by his verger, was followed by wardens, 
vestry, and congregation, marching in line two by two, to 
Ferry AN'liarf, where they received " Pious (Uoyne" (as he 
was later called) with due honors. Then retracing their 
steps, they all climbed the steep hill to tlie church, where 
tliey held a service of thanksgiving for (he long voyage well 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

concluded, in which the worthy Deau and his party fully 
participated. 

The situation of Trinity Church is almost as incon- 
venient as the chancel that is tucked behind the pulpit. 
The site is about fifty-two feet above sea-level, on the side 
of a steep hill. The belfry and what should be the principal 
fagade of the church are close to an adjoining house, while 
the main door is on the northern side under the tower. A 
paved walk leads to this from Church Street, which, in fact, 
is little more than a lane with a side-walk on only one side, 
which was cut from Thames to Jews Street (now Belle vue 
Avenue) many years after the church was built, and purely 
for the acconmiodation of its congregation. An alley flanks 
the other side of the church, on which a door opens. This 
little street was at one time called Old Church Lane. The 
clergy have a private entrance into the vestry and robing- 
room from Spring Street, which was made when the church 
was enlarged in 1762. It was cut in half and the chancel 
end moved to Spring Street, so the lot owned by the cor- 
poration was built over from end to end. Two bays were 
added at this time, but the alteration was clumsily made. 

Many of the graves were probably destroyed when the 
building was altered, for the oldest headstone bears the 
date of 1707. The Rev. James Honyman lies close to the 
church he helped to found, but his memory needs no tomb- 
stone, as it is cherished by descendants of his old congrega- 
tion. His name was given to Honjoiian Hill, near his old 
home. He was one of the founders of the Philosophical 
Society, that became the parent of Redwood Library. It 
was Mr. Honyman 's learning and wit that attracted Dr. 
Berkeley, making his sojourn in Newport so agreeable that 
he prolonged it far beyond his original intention. 

Mr. Honjanan presided over the parish from 1704 imtil 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

he died in 1750. His wife Elizabeth had died February 28, 
1738, at the age of forty-eight. Their daughter Elizabeth 
married William Muiiford, a well-kuowu and honored 
name in Newport to-day. 

The tomb of William Jefferay was in the church-yard. 
Tradition declares he was one of Charles I.'s judges who 
fled to America and died in Newjjort January 2, 1G75. His 
home was near the ocean on what is now called Jefferay 
road. One of General Lafayette's aides-de-camp, the 
Chevalier de Fayette, was buried in the yard, the tomb- 
stones of which tell many touching stories to those who 
linger to study the inscriptions. 

The feeling of a number of people of Newport after the 
war of the Revolution was one of strong antagonism 
toward Trinity Church and its congregation, which was 
considered exclusive and with Tory feelings, not only be- 
cause a liturgy was adopted that was slightly changed by 
leaving out the prayers for the royal family and substi- 
tuting those for the President, etc., but because it was the 
only religious building that had been left intact hy the 
invading army, who desecrated and partly destroyed the 
synagogue as well as every meeting-house in Newport. 

There was another cause for jealousy in the fact that 
Trinity had a i-iclior foundation than that of the other con- 
gregations, while, a])ove all, it still retained the crown on 
its spire which twirled so far above the church that it was 
impossible for miscreant hands to snatch it from its perch. 
Soon after the British evacuation two American officers, 
followed by some young men of the town, entered the church 
and tore down the king's arms, supported by the lion and 
the niiiconi, that had always stood before the groat east 
window, 'riiey wei-e handsomely ])ainted and gilded, and 
weiv coiisi(h'iv(l tJK' most imi)oi-tant de.-oratioii of the 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

cliureli, but they were dragged from their position, to be 
carried publicly, with great ceremony, through the town to 
the North Battery, where they were first set up as a target 
and fired at by the crowd, then thrown on a huge bonfire 
and burned to ashes. 

September 23, 1815, an awful storm swept over New- 
port, destroying many houses and killing five persons on 
Long Wharf. The tide rose three feet and a half higher 
than had ever been before recorded. The steeples on the 
First and Second Congregational meeting-houses were 
partly blown down. One-half of the roof of Trinity Church 
was carried away, so that the rain poured into the interior, 
damaging it extremely. Four sloops were driven ashore 
and absolutely lifted by the high water on top of Long 
Wharf. The light-house at Point Judith was swept away, 
and after the storm had passed it was found that all win- 
dows were covered with an incrustation of salt. This was 
considered one of the most disastrous hurricanes that ever 
visited the island within historic record. 

In connection with Trinity church is Kay Chapel, at the 
corner of High and Church Streets. It was built for a 
Sunday-school, and is used for that purpose as well as for 
daily services. This chapel was erected with fvmds left by 
Nathaniel Kay, who represented his British Majesty as col- 
lector of the king's customs. He resided for many years in 
Newport with his maiden sister, Anne Kay. Both took 
much interest in Trinity parish, of which the former be- 
came a vestryman as early as 1720. He determined on 
having a suitable church building, being one of the prin- 
cipal subscribers to the fund raised for the purpose. He 
also bequeathed a liberal smn at his death for educational 
purposes connected with the church, out of which this 
chapel was built that liears his name instead of that of some 




I'EL, MASOMC HAl.L, 



Ri;i.IC;i()US lOUNDl'.KS 

saint. Tt was also given to (nw. of New])oi-ts principal 
streets. Nathaniel Kay died in 17;>4, and his tonihstone is 
the first to atti'act attention when entei-ing the old yard. 

Trinity Chnrcli has had many distinguished men as 
rectors, none of them more so than the Rev. Mr. Dehon. 
He was an exceedingly handsome man, with a fine clear 
complexion. His discoui'scs wci'c ioiiching and ])fa<-ti('al, 
being delivered willi grai-ernl gcsliircs and iiiipi-essive man- 
ners. Mr. Dehon bcciune bishop of South ("ai'olina, and 
died in Charleston in 1S17. 

Tlicre are several Ei)isc(»j)al i)ar'ishes in Newport that 
are neai-ly as large and influential as the old Ti'inity organi- 
zation. Among them are St. George's Church, on Rhode 
Island Avenue, St. John's Church, overlooking the harbor 
from Washington Street, the little summer chai)el on the 
corner of Cottage Street and Old lieach Road, which is 
oidy opened during the gay season for the convenience of 
the " cottagers," and Emmanuel, oi-ganized in 18.33. 

The congregation of Emmanuel first assembled in the 
State-House, that hospitable mansion that opened its doors 
to any sect that asked permission to worship there. But 
money was quickly raised, and a church built on the corner 
of Spring and South Baptist Streets that answered the 
needs of the congregation until 1902, when Mrs. I3rown 
erected on the site of the old church a beautiful new build- 
ing as a memorial to her husband, which is considered a 
great ornament to the city. 

There have been many men who have left their impi'es- 
sion on Newport in connection with i-eligious services, but 
none have made a deeper one than Dean Berkeley, avIio 
during his residence in the island of peace altered, changed, 
and enlarged the views of the community in an impressive 
fashion jx'cnliar to himself. 

2G3 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

George, son of William Berkeley, was born at Kilcrin, 
county of Kilkenny, March 12, 1684. He received his first 
education at the schools in the neighborhood, and at the 
age of fifteen entered the University of Dublin. It was of 
him that Pope sang, — 

" To Berkeley every virtue under heaven." 

His writings and his friendship with the celebrated 
Vanessa are too well known to repeat. In 1724 he was pre- 
ferred to the Deanery of Derry after travelling abroad for 
several years. Dr. Berkeley was once invited by Basil 
Kennett, the author of " Roman Antiquities," and then 
chaplain at Leghorn, the only place in Italy where the Eng- 
lish service was tolerated, to preach for him one Sunday. 
The following day, as Berkeley was sitting in his chamber, 
a procession of priests in surplices entered the room with 
much formality, and, without taking the least notice of its 
wondering occupant, marched quite around it, muttering 
certain prayers. His fears immediately suggested to him 
that this was a visit from the Inquisition, who had heard 
of liis officiating before heretics without a license the pre- 
vious day. As soon as the priests left the room Berkeley 
ventured cautiously to inquire from the people of the house 
the cause of this extraordinary visitation, and was greatly 
relieved to learn that it was the season appointed by the 
Romish calendar for solemnly blessing the houses of all 
good Catholics in order to rid them of rats and other ver- 
min. This welcome explanation turned the terror of the 
worthy Berkeley into mirth. 

After 1724, when Dr. Berkeley was promoted to the 
Deanery of Derry, that was worth eleven hundred pomids 
a year, he published "A Scheme for converting the Savage 
Americans to Christianity by a college to be erected in the 

S64 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDERS 

Summer Islands, otherwise called the Isles of Bermuda." 
Having set his affairs in order and secured, as he thought, 
a large grant of money from the government that should 
enable him to carry out his scheme for building a college 
where the savages of America might be educated, Berkeley 
provided himself with a wife and sailed for Bernuula, l)y 
the way of Newj)ort, with a number of friends w^ho had 
become as enthusiastic in the missionary schemes of the 
good doctor as he was himself. Among them was Sir John 
Dalton, John Smybert, the artist. Miss Handcoek, and 
some others. The Dean wrote to Prior, September 5, 1728: 
" To-morrow I set sail for Rhode Island," and the Ncio 
E>i(/hnid Wcel:U) Jonrnah of Boston, in the spring of 1729, 
mentions, " Yesterday ai'i'ived here Dean Berkeley, of Lon- 
donderry, in a pi'city lai'ge ship. He is a gentleman of 
middle stature, of an agreeable, pleasant, and erect as})eet. 
He was ushered into the town with a great nmnber of gen- 
tlemen to wlioni lie behaved himself after a very complaisant 
manner. 'Tis said he pro])oses lo tarry here with his family 
about three months." 

After the ])arly reached Newport Dr. Berkeley wrote 
again to his friend Prior, April 24, 172f): " Tiie climate is 
like that of Italy, and not al all colder in the winter than 
I have known it everywhere noitli of Rome. The spring 
is late, l)ut to make amends they assui'e nie the anlnnnis ai'i^ 
the tinesi and longest in llie world, and the snniniei's are 
nmch pleasanter than those of i(al\' by all accounts, I'oras- 
nuich as the grass continues green, which i( dolh not there. 
The island is pleasanti}' laid out in hills and \ales and 
rising grounds, hath plenty of excellent springs and line 
rivulets, and many delightful prospects of line promon- 
tories and adjacent lands. Vines .sprout \\\) of thenisehcs 
1(1 an enormous size, and se(>m as iialnral in this soil as an\' 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

I ever saw. . . . The provisions are very good, so are the 
fruits, which are quite neglected. The town of Newport 
contains six thousand souls, and is the most thriving place 
in all America for bigness. I was never more agreeably 
surprised than at the first sight of the town and harbor." 

The reception of the band of missionaries by the people 
of Newport was cordial in the extreme, particularly l)y the 
rector, vestry, and members of Trinity Church, as has been 
mentioned. There were numbers of educated people living 
there in 1729, so the worthy dean found many with tastes 
congenial with his own. 

A philosophical society had already been started, but it 
j-eceived a fresh impetus when the clever Irishman not only 
attended the meetings, but permitted the members to use his 
books that were intended to have been the foundation of a 
library for the red Indian students he proposed to reclaim 
from ignorance and a savage life. But a residence in a 
town was not to the taste of the good missionary; he pre- 
ferred the wild scenery that he found to the north of New- 
port, so he purchased a farm of about one hundred acres 
that adjoined that of the Rev. Mr. Honyman, then the 
rector of Trinity parish on Green-End Road. There Berke- 
ley built a small house that he named Whitehall, probably 
in memory of the famous palace of Charles I. of England, 
where he suffered martyrdom, as Berkeley's family had 
been closely connected with their royal master, and had 
many trials and much suffering from sympathizing with his 
cause. Whitehall has been unoccupied for many years, and 
was falling into decay, but it was purchased by a patriotic 
society and thoroughly renovated and repaired, so it is now 
kept as a memorial of Bishop Berkeley and his visit to 
Newport in the eighteenth century. 

At this secluded spot Berkeley devoted his time to medi- 

266 



ri:ligi()us founders 

tation and study. It is said iliat he ('(tinposcd " Alciidiroii ; 
or, Tlie Minuto PliiI()S()])li('r/' wliilc scaic.l in a slicltci'cd 
corner of the llaii,i;iii,n- TJocks tliat eouiniand sucli an ex- 
tensive view of tlie ocean across Saehuest beaeli, and of 
Purgatory Ix'ocks. The place is still called Bishop Berke- 
ley's Chaii-. During his visit to America Berkeley was in- 
terested in the use of tar-water as a cure for gout, on whi<-h 
he wrote an exhaustive treatise, recommending the i-eniedy 
to all fellow-sufferers. After remaining in the colonies for 
about two years, the worthy gentleman returned to Eng- 
land without having accomplished his pur})ose or having 
educated a solitaiw i-ed man. Here he became a great 
favorite of Queen ('arolin<'. who was clever and well edu- 
cated, delighting in ])hilosophical discussions, and far in 
advance of most of the women of lier time. 'I''he (|neeii 
desired her husband to name the Dean of Derry to the 
richest deanery in Ii'eland, that of Down, which excited so 
much jealousy that the Duke of Dorset, then Lord-Lieu- 
tenant of Ireland, prevented the consummation of the 
patent. Her majesty then declared that since Dr. Berke- 
ley could not be a dean in Ireland, he shoidd be a l)ishop. 
Accordingly, in 1733, he was pi'omoted to the Bishopric of 
Cloync, and was consecrated at St. Paul's church in Dublin 
on the 19th of May. 

The Bishop of Cloyne was a handsome man, with long 
liml)s and portly ihm-sou. He had no ear for music, but 
delighted in all noisy instruments, insisting on his children 
taking daily lessons, at which he was always present. He 
died at Oxford, Sunday evening, January 14, 1753, while 
his wife was reading to him as he lay on a couch, so sud- 
denly and quietly that his family supposed him to be asleej). 
The verses he wi-ote while seated in his chair at Saehuest 
are too long to quote, but his words, " Westward the course 

267 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

of empire takes its way," have a lasting place in the palace 

of fame. 

ROMAN CATHOLICS 

Although the Jews, the Quakers, the Episcopalians, the 
Baptists, and other sects lived harmoniously in old New- 
port, there was one that scarcely approached the shore until 
the Revolutionary War brought the French fleet into the 
harbor. It was then that the followers of the Roman church 
first domiciled themselves in the town, finding shelter, as 
many others have done before and since, in the old State- 
House, for during the war with England, after the French 
troops occupied the place, this govermnent building was 
used as a hospital. Hammocks were hung in the large 
hall, and to it were brought a nmnber of sailors suffering 
from scurvy and other diseases, who were accompanied by 
a devoted Roman Catholic priest. Liberal-minded as the 
Rhode Island people had hitherto been, and openly as they 
had welcomed various sects to their doors, the sight of the 
French priests in their long black cassocks, their quaintly 
shaped hats, with the sacred cross suspended from their 
girdles, shocked the citizens as no distinctive uniform had 
ever done before. Still the strangers were treated coldly, 
but respectfully, and when the French officers, with Comte 
de Rochambeau at their head, marched to the State-House 
to attend Mass the Sunday after they reached Newport, 
there was awe if not admiration painted on the faces of 
the crowd that lined Clarke Street to watch the church 
parade. 

The large influx of men and officers who had so sud- 
denly appeared in Newport demanded a meeting-place for 
their religious observances. Trinity Church had been 
spared by the British, who used it for their own services, 
but every other nieeting-liouse had been converted into 



KI'I.IGIOUS I'OHNDl-'.KS 

barracks or stables, and liad hcv.n partly destroyed by the 
eA'aciiating troops. It was a proof of the liberal-niindcd- 
ness of the eitizcMis that the State-House was accorded as a 
hospital, and (hat also the Roman Catholic priests wei-e 
assigned the lower room against the south door for their 
services, where an altar was hastily erected and the room 
converted into a small chapel, where services covdd l)e per- 
formed. Here Mass was said daily by some one of the nine 
priests who accompanied the fleet, for it was convenient nf)t 
oidy for the invalids in the adjoining part of the building, 
but also for the officers quartered on the Parade, in Spring, 
Mary, and Pclham Streets, and other neighboring localities. 
The seed thus sown did not fall on entirely barren 
groiuid, but it was not until 1825 that the Roman Catholic 
residents of Newport began to feel the necessity of having 
a regular church establishment. Numbers of Irishmen 
emigrated about this time who were attracted to the town 
by the prospect of work, for at this date Fort Adams, that 
had been planned, named, and pai-tly erected by Le Cheva- 
lier de Tousard in the beginning of the century, was found 
deficient in the strength required by more modern artillery, 
and was being rebuilt under the direction of the best-edu- 
cated American engineers, headed by Major Totten. The 
number of Roman Catholics who came to the town at that 
period sj^urred their co-religionists to fomi a congregation. 
A subscription was raised to purchase an old school-house 
on Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets, where services were 
held imtil 1833, when a spacious church was built that, with 
the lot, cost about four thousand dollars, the money for 
which was entirely contributed by the Irish Catholics who 
were employed as masons by the government at Fort 
Adams. The church was dedicated August 20, 1837, \inder 
the title of St. Joseph, by the Right Reverend Bishop Fen- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

wick, of Boston, Massachusetts. But it was poorly con- 
structed, and by 1850 had shown such signs of decay that it 
was pronounced unsafe, so the congregation was forced to 
raise money to purchase the old Zion church on Washing- 
ton Square. This was a quaint colonial building, with 
Doric pillars, in which a very large and influential congre- 
gation worshipped. But this building will soon be replaced 
by a more modern structure. 

The second Roman Catholic church was dedicated in 
1853. It stands on the corner of Spring and Levin Streets, 
and its graceful spire is conspicuous from the harbor as it 
peeps above the surrounding houses. This church is 
crowded during July and August with those of the fashion- 
able dames of the sunmier colony who are members of the 
Roman church. St. Mary's is a Gothic building of free- 
stone, that has gathered a large luimber of children into 
its parochial school. The influence of the Roman Catho- 
lics is increasing rapidly in the city. 

THE METHODISTS 
Previous to 1805 Newport had no independent organiza- 
tion of Methodists, but the scattered members of the sect 
were occasionally visited by wandering ministers. At that 
date Mr. Hubbard obtained the use of the council chamber 
in the hospitable State-House until his congregation raised 
sufficient money to erect a meeting-house for themselves on 
Marlborough Street, which was built in 1806. A second 
congregation was soon after formed, that built on the 
corner of Thames and Brewer Streets. 

THE UNITARIANS 
The Unitarian congregation of Newport had, in 1853, a 
church on Mill Street. Its society had been organized in 



RELIGIOUS FOUNDF.RS 

1835, at whie-li time it purchased the l)uihliiig that liad been 
abandoned by the First Congregational Church after the 
deatli of Dr. Hopkins. 

Close to the western side of the churcli, in what was tlicn 
an open field but is now crowded with houses, the celebrated 
preacher, George Whitefield, attracted a crowd of people, 
August 5, 1775, too many in number to be contained in any 
one building in Ne^^1Dort. With the rapt expression on his 
face that was such a characteristic of this gifted man, 
"Whitefield strode through the assembled throng to take up 
his position under a tree, but the people pressed around 
him, makiiig him realize that but few could see or hear him. 
At that moment one of the good wives of the congregation, 
noticing his dilemma, instantly bethought herself of a 
means of remedying it. She hastily sent two of her sons 
for a strong deal kitchen table, which they placed under 
the tree, on which they helped the preacher to stand. From 
this humble pulpit Whitefield delivered a stirring discourse 
that was vividly remcml)ered b}' his hearers for many a 
year. The improvised platform was afterwards purchased 
from its o^\1ler, to be reverently deposited in the vestry- 
room of the churi^h, where it remained for over a century. 

The building erected in 1729 for the use of the Seventh 
Day Baptists is now occupied by the Newport Historical 
Society and the Natural Ilistoiy Society. The old meeting- 
house was moved in 1SS7 from IJarncy Street to Touro 
Street. It was one of the two places of worship not dese- 
crated by the IJi'itish, who respected the decah)gue that was 
painted on its walls. 




ALMOe 
tory 



FREEMASONS 

LMOST as interesting as the liis- 
^ . ^ J*. - . ^^ ^^^"^ Synagogue, the Jewish 

■■f^s^ ^ i I ^ merchants, their commerce, and 
^' ft^.j'^^^"''^ ^ ' ^^'^^^'^ factories, is the statement 
'"V - ' " , made in Jndge Charles P. Daly's 

'^^.. '' Jews in North America," that 
^"^ "^ ~~ "in 1658 fifteen Hebrew families 

AiiKurB Ernmont Esq 

°''''"*"''"'* from Holland arrived in Newport, 
Rhode Island, bringing with them the first three degrees of 
Masonry," which are the " Entered Apprentice, Fellow 
Craft, and Master Mason degrees." These Jews performed 
their Masonic ceremonies for eighty-four years, or mitil 
nearly 1747, in the house of Mordeeai Campannalli. There 
are no records to show that these brethren belonged to any 
incorporated Lodge, or that they encouraged candidates to 
join them, to whom they coiild directly transmit their 
ancient learning, although proofs exist that they did initiate 
members, on whom they conferred the degrees. But Free- 
masonry at that time was not the organized body that it is 
at present. Tlien itinerant Masons wandered from place to 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

place, much as they pleased, receiving recognition from 
other members of the Craft by means of the occult signs 
either laid on the " trestle-board" or by grips and other 
movements of hands, arms, feet, or body. In the " Reali- 
ties of Freemasonry," page 3, it is stated that " Free- 
masonry in its present form has only existed some one 
hundred and sixty-five years or thereabouts," while ac- 
cording to " Symbolism of Masonry," by Mackey, " it 
was in 1714, during the reign of Queen Anne that the 
society assumed its present form." Those members of the 
Fraternity who lived in Newport certainly created an in- 
terest in their hidden proceedings, but it was not until 
December 27, 1749, that the Provincial Grand Master, T. 
Oxnard, appointed Robert Jenkins as Master, with power 
to establish the Lodge of St. Jolm. This Lodge had no hall 
of its own in which to meet privately, but the members 
always duly celebrated the feast of their patron saint, from 
whom they took their name, on June 24, and in 1757 the 
first public meeting was held in Trinity Church, when the 
Rev. Brother Thomas Pollen delivered such a praiseworthy 
address that the brethren at their next business meeting, 
says Right Worshipful Robert S. Franklin, in his address 
on the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, ' ' voted him a 
pair of silver cans." 

In New York the first Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons was called " Union," and was organized February 
21, 1766, with Peter W. Yates as first Worshipful Master. 
He was the ancestor of Colonel Edward Neill, of Newport. 
The city of New York has an organization that dates from 
January 8, 1770. Anthony Rutgers and twenty-three sea- 
captains who had been initiated in London formed the 
Fraternity. 

Freemasonry clings to two patron saints, — one of them 

274 



FREEMASONS 

St. John the Baptist and the other St. John the Evan- 
gelist. Why St. Thomas was not selected is a mystery to 
the uninitiated, for he was the patron saint of architects, 
and is usually represented holding a builder's square as 
his attribute, but perhaps it was because of his proclivity 
for doubting, which wotdd render him troublesome to the 
Fraternity. The selection of St. John seems to point to the 
connection of the Freemasons with the Knights of St. 
John, with whom they affiliated during the Middle Ages. 
There is also a legend mentioned in " Realities of Free- 
masonry," " that from the building of the first Temple to 
the Babylonish captivity. Masonic Lodges were dedicated to 
King Solomon; from the captivity till the advent of the 
Messiah, to Zerubbabel, and from the birth of Christ till 
the destruction of the Temple by Titus to St. John the 
Baptist." St. John the Evangelist, it is said, was installed 
as the first Grand Master when he was over ninety years of 
age, while he was Bishop of Ephesus, when, it is said, he 
completed the work commenced by the Baptist, by bringing 
harmony into the ranks and framing laws for the general 
government of the Fraternity, for which reason he is gen- 
erally revered. 

After their organization the Brotherhood in Ne\\75ort 
throve and increased rapidly in numbers. They frequently 
held their sessions in the council chamber of the State- 
House, or in a tavern hard by, called the Freemasons' Arms, 
that was kept by John Rogers, and on July 18, 1758, they 
purchased a lot, where the foundation stones were laid 
with appropriate Masonic ceremonies on the 12th of Au- 
gust. But there was little money in the coffers of the 
society to be spared for erecting the house they thought 
would do honor to the Fraternity, as it was generally ex- 
pended in charity, so the " well and truly laid" foundations 

S75 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

were {!arefully covered, in wMch condition they remained 
for forty years. But the brethren were by no means idle 
during this time, but did what they could to raise money 
to build their Temple or increase their membership, with 
such success that in June, 1759, they received from the 
General Assembly of Ehode Island and Providence Plan- 
tations a charter for their society, with permission to hold 
a public lottery, and this, says Mr. Franklin, in his address, 
" was the first civic charter granted in Rhode Island and 
the first official recognition of Freemasonry." Still it was 
not until April 12, 1802, that the brethren were convened 
to lay the corner-stone afresh, after which the work was 
rapidly pushed to completion, so the building was opened 
and dedicated February 22, 1803. The cause for this delay 
is not difficult to find, for the war of the Revolution had 
taken place, and during the occupation of the British there 
was neither money for building in Newport nor men to work 
the Craft. It is creditable to the energy of the Craftsmen 
that they so soon recovered from the confusion into which 
their Lodge had been thrown, so that they were able to col- 
lect their scattered members, reorganize their community, 
and erect their Temple. It lay, however, under a heavy 
debt, that was raised by a second lottery held in November, 
1803. 

The interior of the liall was decorated with a clock, glass 
chandelier, and other equipments donated by members of 
the Fraternity. In particular, "Around the inner part of 
the ceiling of the Lodge-room was placed a ' cable-tow' 
hawser laid, that was the work and donation of Brother 
Thomas Tilley," says Mr. Franklin. It had been made in 
1802, in Tilley 's rope-w^alk, that was situated on Touro 
Street, extending to Bull Street on the land which is now 
Kay Street. 

376 



FREEMASONS 

King David's Lodge was organized June 7, 1780, by 
Moses Michael Hays, Master, and is chiefly distinguished 
in a laj'man's eyes by having presented an address to Gen- 
eral Washington, which, with his reply in his own hand- 
writing, is preserved among the treasures of St. John's 
Lodge, No. 1. The life of St. David's Lodge was not a 
long one, for ten years after its birth it joined the more 
powerful Brotherhood, donating to the parent Lodge all its 
valuables and accessories. 

The Grand Master who received General Washington 
August 17, 1790, presenting him with an address in the 
name of all the Brethren, was Moses Seixas, a noted Jew 
who had built for himself a handsome house facing the 
Parade-ground, that was afterwards occupied by Mrs. 
Oliver Hazard Perry. IVIoses Michael Hays, who was the 
organizer of St. David's Lodge, was born in Lisbon, but 
moved to Jamaica, and while living on that island he re- 
ceived the appointment of Deputy Inspector-General for 
North America, under the Masonic rite called " the Rite of 
Perfection," that was organized in Paris in 1758, and which 
is also known as the " Scottish Rite." The position in- 
vested Mr. Hays with powers that " Avere new and strange 
to the Brethren of the country," says Mr. Mason. It was 
probably mider the instructions of Hays that the construc- 
tion and equipment of a Lodge " in the degree of Perfec- 
tion" was arranged to represent, according to Masonic law, 
a subterranean vault hung with curtains of brilliant red. 
In the western part of the room was placed a typical 
Enoch's pillar. Solomon's Pillar of Beauty was stationed 
in the East, while a burning bush and a golden delta, or 
triangle, decorated the hall. In the centre of the delta 
were the Hebrew letters representing Jod-He-Vau-He, or 
Jehovah. 

277 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

As it requires twenty-seven members to work the Grand 
Lodge of Perfection, there must have been many meetings 
in Newport, so that Mr. Hays could instruct his fraternity 
in the novel and complicated evolutions and duties imposed 
by this degree, and explain to them the meaning of the cabal- 
istic word enclosed in the triangle, with its double signifi- 
cance. The four Hebrew letters forming the word Jod-He- 
Vau-He is regarded with reverence not only by Freemasons, 
but by members of numerous religious sects. The Ma- 
hometans, in particular, revere it, only uttering it aloud on 
especial occasions. 

According to an oral tradition among the Hebrews, 
the origin of which is lost in the shadows of antiquity, a 
sacred word exists that gives to any mortal pronouncing 
it correctly the key to occult things. This tradition is 
preserved among the Freemasons, who use it as a sacred 
password. 

Fabre d 'Olivet, in " La Langue Hebraique Restituee," 
says, " It appears, according to the most famous rabbis, 
that Moses himself, foreseeing the fate which awaited his 
book and the false interpretations which would be given to 
it in the course of time, resorted to an oral law, which he 
delivered verbally to reliable men whose fidelity he had 
tested and whom he charged to transmit it to others in the 
secret of the Sanctuary, who, in their turn, transmitting it 
from age to age, secured its preservation even for the most 
distant posterity." 

This oral law is called the Kabbalah, from a Hebrew 
word which signifies " that which comes from elsewhere," 
or " that which passes from hand to hand." " This word, 
which the Israelites never uttered and which the High 
Priest only pronoimced once a year amidst the shouts of the 
laity, is found at the head of every initiative ritual; it 

278 



FREEMASONS 

radiates from the flaming triangle at the Thirty-third de- 
gree of the Freemasonry of Scotland ; it is displayed above 
the gateways of our old cathedrals, and is formed of the 
four Hebrew letters Jod-He-Yau-He, — n 1 il ' It is the 
ineffable word of the Lodge of Perfection, but, of course, 
useless to non-initiates, since it cannot be pronounced prop- 
erly except by those who have been instructed." 

In 1826 William Morgan wrote a book revealing the 
mysteries of Freemasonry, that was printed in Batavia, 
New York. The ire of the Fraternity was roused, and, since 
the book could not l)e suppressed, they became much excited, 
and uttered many threats against the " cowan." Morgan 
disappeared, never to be heard of again, causing a great 
commotion in the United States, so much so that a political 
party was formed calling itself "Antunason." Before that 
time the Fraternity had aimually held public services in 
Trinity Church, New York, and other places, but when the 
society was susj^ected of having connived at and encouraged 
the murder of a renegade member, the best citizens, clergy- 
men, judges, etc., who had been honored in the community, 
showed their disai^probation by resigning in large numbers, 
so much so that Freemasonry then received a blow that it 
is barely recovering from at the present day. Wlien the 
true history and meaning of the Craft is understood, it will 
probably be once more received into favor, not only on ac- 
count of the benevolence it inculcates, but the secrets it en- 
closes of ancient lore concerning the building of Solomon's 
Temple, the murder of Hiram Abiff, the great architect, the 
Knights Hospitaller, the Knights Templar, the builders of 
the eleventh century churches, and much other data that is 
preserved among the archives of the Craft whose history 
reaches so far back into antiquity. 

Masonry has left its mark in Newport in many ways, 

279 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

not only on the corner-stone of the old State-House and 
on that of Masonic Hall, but it is suspected that if the 
Stone Mill could speak it would acknowledge that a Free 
and Accepted Mason had placed its stones truly to the 
points of the compass. There are many headstones in 
the graveyards and cemeteries of Newport that testify 
by their symbols that members of the Fraternity lie below. 
Enoch's broken pillar stands above one, the weeping 
willow droops over another, while angles, squares, and 
compasses are carved on other stones encircled by the 
cable-tow. 

It is not only in public places that these marks of Free- 
masonry may be observed. Many families treasure the 
Masonic garments or emblems worn by deceased members. 
One has a handsome lambskin apron that tradition declares 
was offered to General Washington when he met his Breth- 
ren of St. David's Lodge. Another family preserves a 
small, round, silver box marked with the noteworthy name 
of an ancestor who served as General Sullivan's aide at the 
battle of Butts Hill, Rhode Island. It contains two small 
silver swords, a silver coffin, a large star enclosing a cross, 
aroimd which a golden serpent twines. On the star is the 
motto, " In Hoc Signo Vinces." There is also a skull and 
cross-bones, that it is said denotes a Knight of the East and 
West, as well as a triple delta, on which is the mmiber 33 
and an all-seeing eye. 

In a house on Kay Street, in which live the descendants 
of one of Newport's oldest and best citizens, there are some 
remarkable old silver mugs without handles on which are 
mysterious marks. The family also preserve a large white 
pitcher that is of English manufacture, decorated with 
Masonic emblems. On one side of this valuable relic are the 
following lines : 



FREEMASONS 

" The world is in pain 
Our secret to gain 

But still let them wonder and gaze on 
For they ne'er can divine 
The Word nor the Sign 
Of a free and accepted IMason. 

This is the first verse of an Entered Apprentice's song, 
"to be sung after grave business is over." It is one of 
several songs due to a Masonic muse of about 1723, at 
which period the Craft was greatly revived in England. 
That was the age when toasts were in fashion, so these were 
introduced in the Masonic ritual of the day, when they were 
drunk with much ceremony. One was : 

" To each charming fair and faithful She 
Who loves the craft of Masonry." 

Another : 

" To him who uses the mallet in knocking off those superfluous pas- 
sions that in any manner degrade the man or the Mason." 

The books quoted from having l)een published for at 
least twenty years, and on the shelves of public libraries, it 
is presumed that the quotations taken from them will give 
no offence to the Fraternity. 




>K.R^r 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 




with the exception 



ANY men of the brush and pencil 
have been born or lived in Newport, 
])ut, strange to say, only a few of 
them have devoted their art to pic- 
turing the beautiful scenery that 
surrounded them on every side, and 
if our twentieth century artist, Mr. 
Richardson, who has left so many exquisite views of the 
ocean, bay, and rocks of Newport and her harbor, her 
artists have preferred portraiture to land- or sea-scape. 

It was in Newport that John Smybert first set up his 
easel when he came to this colony with the celebrated Dean 
Berkeley, partly from a roving spirit, partly from affection 
for the dean, but chiefly to be near Miss Handcock, one of 
the party who expected to convert the " savage Americans 
to Christianity," which Dean Berkeley announced was the 
purpose of the expedition. Smybert was born in Edin- 
burgh about 1684, and served his time as a house-painter. 
He considered he had risen in life when he obtained employ- 
ment in London with a coach-maker, by whom he was en- 
to emblazon lieraldic devices on carriages. But Smy- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

bert's energy and talents soon obtained for him entrance 
into the Academy, where he studied for some time ; but not 
satisfied witli his own progress, he went to Italy, where he 
spent three years, during which he made the acquaintance 
of Dr. Berkeley, who was travelling in that country and 
meeting with many amusing adventures. 

" Smybert was employed while he was in Florence by 
the Grand Duke of Tuscany," says Dunlap, in his " History 
of the Arts of Design," " to paint two or three Siberian 
Tartars who had been presented to the duke as slaves by 
the Czar of Russia." Smybert joined Dr. Berkeley's party 
when they sailed from England. Finding on his arrival in 
America that there was plenty of occupation for his brush, 
he immediately began to study the faces of the people of 
Newport. Great was his disappointment to find the Eng- 
lish-siDcaking inhabitants had not reverted to the aboriginal 
type, and proportionate his delight when he fancied he dis- 
covered that the Narragansett Indians had the features and 
chief characteristics of the Siberian Tartars, whose faces 
he had studied so closely when sketching them for the col- 
lection of the Grand Duke. Upon this similarity between 
the Indians and the Tartars both Berkeley and Smybert 
built some wonderful theories they did not have time to 
publish, but which were alluded to several times in the 
works of the former. 

To while away the tiresome hours at sea Smybert set 
up a large canvas, on which he commenced to paint an 
historic group of the party. The picture begun at sea 
was completed at Newport, and it is said to be " the first 
picture of more than a single figure ever painted in the 
colonies." The canvas is nine feet long by six feet wide. 
It represents the dean standing at one end of a table on 
which is a copy of Plato, while there is a view of Newport 

284 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 

in the background. Berkeley is surroiuidcd by his friends, 
and seems to be employed dictating to his secretary, Sir 
James Dalton, part of the " IMinute Philosopher," which 
the writers on Newport delight to describe as having l)een 
composed at " Berkeley's Chair," the rocky cliff overlook- 
ing Purgatory. Mrs. Berkeley, with her ])aby daughter in 
her arms, is seated beside the tabl(\ This is probably the 
infant who lies buried in the clun-ch-yai-d of old Trinity, 
whose name is inscribed on the side of Nathaniel Kay's 
tombstone. The other peoi)l(! i]i the grou]i are the bewitch- 
ing Miss Handcock (at whom Smybert is gazing from the 
background), Mr. James, and Mr. John Moffat, of Newport, 
whose brother Thomas was a physician in the town. 

This valuable picture is now in the gallery of Yale Col- 
lege. It was purchased by President Timothy Dwight, in 
1800, from an unknown ])erson in whose possession it was 
and carried to New Haven, where it is certainly valued 
most highly. The likeness of Dean Berkeley in the Eed- 
wood Tjibrary was copied from the large canvas in Yale 
College. 

After Dean Berkeley returned to England John Smy- 
bert moved to Boston, where he married a daughter of Dr. 
Williams, who was a noted school-master in that city. 
There are many pictures by this artist hanging on the walls 
of old Boston homes that are prized as heirlooms. His 
son, Nathaniel Sm,ybert, also became an artist, whose works 
are sometimes confused with his father's, but of him little 
is lvno\\ai, as he seems to have died when a veiy young man. 

It is said that Feke was born in Newport, and was the 
first educated portrait-painter of the American colonies, 
but Dunlap dismisses him in a few lines that merely state, 
" R. Feke is the name of a painter inscribed on a portrait 
of. Mrs. Willing, with the date of 1746, so of course he was 

285 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

a contemporary of Williams, who painted in Philadelphia 
at the time Smybert flourished in Boston." Feke seems to 
have wandered aboiit the country, for he painted portraits 
of the family of Gardiner's Island and those of the manor 
of Rensselaerwyek. Dunlap pi'obably refers, however, to 
an older man than the native of Newport, whose name was 
Charles Feke, an artist of local fame, who died in 1822, 
and is chiefly recalled by his fellow-citizens through the 
bed in the Newport Hospital that was endowed to his 
memory by a loving niece. 

Blackburn was a contemporary of Smybert 's, who 
painted a few memorable likenesses of the beaux and belles 
of Newport, that are treasured by their descendants, but 
little is remembered about the artist, although Mr. Henry 
Tuckerman declares he deserves mention in connection with 
those who have made their homes in the town. 

Colonel John Trumbull's short and memorable visit to 
Aquidneck could hardly be said to be in connection with his 
brush and palette, but deserves mention for his gallant 
conduct in the battle of Rhode Island, where he did much 
for the American arms. Trumbull was born at Lebanon, 
Connecticut, June 6, 1756, and was the son of Jonathan 
Trumbull, the war governor of that State. After serving 
in diiferent capacities in the American army, he was given 
a commission as adjutant-general, with rank of colonel, and 
ordered to Rhode Island, where he remained during the 
whole of the campaign on the Island of Peace. His pic- 
tures, history, and subsequent career are too well known to 
require repetition. One of the great-grandsons of Colonel 
John Trumbull is James Van Alen, who has become one of 
Newport's summer residents, where he owns a beautiful 
house on Ochre Point. 

Samuel King lived in Newport, and Dunlap says of him : 



NATIVK AND VISITINC; AR'IISTS 

" Although he painted portraits for many years, he might 
perhaps have escaped my notice if a great painter had not 
mentioned him as one who encouraged the efforts of design 
in his school-days, for he instructed Washington Allston." 
Samuel King kept a shop at No. 130 Thames Street. Its 
front was devoted to the compasses and nautical instru- 
ments that were always in demand in a seaboard town, and 
every ship that came into the har])()r after a long voyage 
sent sextants, etc., to King to be repaired and set. He 
painted the transparencies to celeljrate the return of peace 
in 1783 that were disjDlayed in front of the State-House. 
The subjects were General Washington and celebrated inci- 
dents of the war. King copied many jnctures, some of 
which are valued as likenesses of Ne\^'poi-t people. He 
also gave us the only contemporaneous sketch of the town 
before the war that now exists. 

The father of Edward IMalbone once said to liun, " T 
have a boy who shows decided taste for painting. Could 
you give him the benefit of your instructions'?" " With 
the greatest of pleasure," replied the artist. " There is a 
young man from South Carolina in my studio; they will 
be companions for each other." Tliis was tlie commence- 
ment of the friendship between Edward Malbone and 
Washington Allston, who both often declared tlicy owed 
much to the early instructions of Samuel King. 

Tlie name of Cliarlcs B. King is also thoroughly identi- 
fied with his native town, although he passed many years 
in Washington, but he will not soon be forgotten while so 
many of his works hang on the walls of R(!d\vood Library. 
Among tliem is a portrait of Abraham Redwood, its 
founder, dressed as a Quaker. The liken(!ss of the Marquis 
of Lafayette is an original picture in oil, painted from life 
in 1825 by Charles B. King, who also ])resented to the 

287 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

library over two hundred pictures, as well as his collection 
of books and engravings. As a very young man he went 
to England, where he joined Thomas Sully in Benjamin 
West's studio, but the struggling artists could not have 
pursued their studies had it not been for the patronage of 
John Hare Powel and John Coates, of Philadelphia. 

William Claggett hardly deserves to be classed as a dis- 
tinguished artist, but as a faithful, painstaking painter, 
long a resident of Newport, he must be mentioned in this 
connection. He was born in Wales, but emigrated in 1727, 
when twelve years of age. He was by profession a clock- 
maker, and also an electrician. The proofs of his skill are 
still seen in Newport, and his experiments in electricity 
attracted the notice as well as the friendship of Benjamin 
Franklin, with whose brothers James and John, then living 
in Newport, Claggett was intimate. 

Claggett 's skill with pencil and brush was not often 
exerted, as his tastes led him in another direction, but, 
although self-taught, the few pictures he has left behind 
him show that if he had devoted himself to art he might 
have become a noted artist. He was a fervent member of 
the First Baptist Church in Newport during the ministry 
of the Rev. Mr. Ross, and died and was buried in the town 
of his adoption October 18, 1749. 

To use the expression of Thomas Sully, a lifelong friend, 
" the name of Washington Allston stands number one in 
the catalogue of American painters;" so, although born in 
Charleston in 1779, since he was carried to Newport in his 
sixth year, receiving there his first lessons in art, the town 
proudly inscribes his name among those of her noteworthy 
members. As an infant Allston was so delicate that the 
physicians ordered him north for his health, so he was left 
at Newport by his parents, who were among the earliest of 



NATIVE AND VISIIINCi ARTISTS 

the summer residents of the town. Allstou was left under 
the charge of Robert Rogers, who kept a good classical 
school, where the boy remained initil he was prepared to 
enter Harvard College in 1796. 

Allston showed his talent for art at a very early age, 
and, as has been mentioned, he took lessons in drawing from 
Samuel King, of whom Allston writes, " He was a very 
worthy, amiable man, who made quadrants and compasses 
and occasionally painted portraits. I believe he was origi- 
nally bred a painter, but obliged Ijy the rare calls upon his 
pencil to call in the aid of another craft." 

For many years a portrait of Washington Allston hung 
on the walls of a parlor in Newport. It was painted when 
he was leaving for college, a young fellow of seventeen. It 
had been given by him to a devoted friend, wdio after All- 
ston "s death would say, " He was ever like a spirit fitted to 
pass into a higher s})hcx'e. I think of him there as in his 
native air." 

Allston gi-adiiated at Harvard in 1800, after which he 
returned to Charleston, where he sold the property he had 
inherited from his father, so that he might pursue his artis- 
tic studies in Europe. After spending several years abroad, 
durijig which time he i^ainted some remarkable pictures, 
Allston returned to America in 1809. He had married Miss 
Clianning that year, but she died soon after. In 1830 he 
married Miss Dana, but he passed the remainder of his life 
in seclusion in Caiiiltridgc. Massachusetts, where he died 
July 9, 1843. 

Wlieii ill America lie ])ai(l fre(|neiit visits to Iiis old 
friends in Newport, but never agniii set uj) liis easel in the 
town where he had passed all his boyhood and which he 
loved to his dying day. 

Mi.-hele Filice Come was born in Italy, but fled to 

ID 289 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

America in the beginning of the eighteenth century, to 
spend the last twenty-five years of his life in Newport, 
where he employed his facile pencil in many qnaint ways 
peculiar to himself. On reaching this country, he landed at 
Salem, Massachusetts, where the rich residents of that place 
gave him employment, and where he not only decorated the 
interiors of their houses, but painted all the fleet of clipper 
packets that belonged to General Derby. These pictures 
now decorate the walls of the Essex Museum in that place, 
over which still swings the old gilt weather-cock, the design 
of which is a codfish that gave the nickname of ' ' the codfish 
aristocracy" to the wealthy residents of the old New Eng- 
land town. 

After a short residence in Salem, Corne moved to Bos- 
ton, where he surprised the gossips by decorating the walls 
of Governor Hancock's house in a fashion before unknown 
to them, by a method of his own invention. He covered the 
walls with plain white paper, on which he sketched a design 
in black and white, filling it in with water-colors. The 
effect was so agreeable that Corne received many orders 
from private persons to decorate the walls of their parlors. 

Corne also attempted pictures on canvas on a large 
scale, but these, being painted in distemper, have perished. 
In 1822 Corne bought a small place in Newport, between 
Mill and Pelham Streets, making a path before his door 
that connected these two important streets, which little lane 
now bears his name, recalling the Italian painter whose 
vivacious, merry ways and keen wit is still remembered 
by the oldest inhabitants. A sign-board on which is the 
name Corne hangs on the corner of this little street, but 
the painter who lettered the sign ignorantly dropped the 
accent over the last letter, so the average passer-by pro- 
nounces the name Corn, much to the amusement of the 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 

native who has heard his parents always speak of " Corjiey 
Street." It woiild scarcely be noticed if the Aquidueck 
Hotel did not stand on the coi-iiei- that joins it to Pelliam 
Street. 

In this seclnded s})ot Oorne lived for many yeai's, pca<'(!- 
fnlly piifsninc; his art or eultivatiii,<;- his ji;arden, which 
Itccaiiie cclelji'ated for rare and Ix'antifnl )»lants. He was 
a great favorite with his nei.nlibors, and lived to a very 
advanced age, dying in 1845. 

It is said that M. Corne was the first to cnltivate and eat' 
raw tomatoes in Newport. Before his day the vine had 
been treated as a hot-honse plant that was only enltivated 
for decorations. The beantifnl red frnit was commonly 
called '• l(ive-a])]>l('s,"' l)nf it was declared to be i)oisonons. 
Even io-day many persons atti'il)n(e the wide spread of 
eancerons diseases to eating raw tomatoes. 

It is a disputed point whether Gilbert Stuart was b<n-n 
witliin the confines of Newj^ort or on the main-land. His 
own opinion was that he was born m the town, although liis 
biographers have selected a house near Kingston in which 
his pai-ents once resided. But his mother was descended 
from one of the first settlers, and all of his boyhood was 
passed in the old town itself, so NeA\T[^ort proudly claims 
him as one of h(n- sons. Gilliert Stuart, the father of the 
painter, was a native of Perth, and was the son of a greatly 
esteemed Presbyterian minister. Being of a romantic 
nature, young Stuai-t joined the ranks of Prince Charles 
Edward, but after the disastrous battle of Culloden fled to 
the American colonies with many of liis countrvnnen. 
Stuart settled in Rhode Island, where he soon after married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Albro Anthony, of Middletown, on 
Aquidneck. Here three children were l)orn to the young 
couple, — James, who died in infancy; Ann. who married 

391 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Henry Newton; and Gilbert Charles, who was to become 
famous as one of the foremost American artists of the eigh- 
teenth and early nineteenth centuries. He was born Decem- 
ber 3, 1755, and was baptized in St. Paul's Church, Narra- 
gansett, on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1756, by the Eev. Dr. 
McSparran. 

During Stuart's early years he weut to no school, but 
learned his lessons at his mother's knee. When about eight 
years of age his father disposed of his business to move into 
the town of Ne^vport, for the benefit of the good school edu- 
cation that was promised his children. Mrs. Stuart in- 
herited some property from her family at this time, which 
enabled her to purchase a comfortable home near the centre 
of the town, where she could enjoy the companionship of 
her girlhood friends. There was at this time an excellent 
school in Newport, conducted by the Rev. George Bissit, 
who was assistant minister of Trinity Church and head of 
the parochial school that had been founded by Nathaniel 
Kay. 

From his earliest childhood Gilbert Stuart had used his 
ready pencil, making sketches of everything that attracted 
his fancy, although in those days it was not a pencil as we 
know it, but a rough bit of chalk or a stick charred in the 
fire, while the drawing-board was the side of a barn or the 
smooth stone step before the door, for it was before the 
British officers had carried off the door-steps of the good 
people of Newport. The boy had no master and no instruc- 
tion, but, heedless of discouragement, he patiently and 
faithfully sketched, erased, and sketched again everything 
he saw and all who would sit to him for a likeness. 

As far as is known, the first patron of the ambitious 
yovmgster was Dr. William Hunter, the well-known phy- 
sician, who gave the lad some colors and brushes, setting as 

392 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 

a task a couple of valued dogs. By the time he was thirteen 
Stuart had attracted the notice of many persons in New- 
port, who wei*e pleased with his perseverance and undoubted 
talents, but it was not until 1770 that he had any art instruc- 
tion. Before that time he had painted several rather ambi- 
tious portraits, two of which now hang in the Redwood 
Library, where they are valued as his work. They are the 
likenesses of Mr. and Mrs. John Baimister, who were the 
richest citizens of Newport when Stuart was a child. They 
lived on the corner of Pelhani and Spring Streets, in a 
house that is still standing, and wliich was General Pres- 
cott's head-quarters when the British occupied Newport. 

About 1772 Stuart left his home to visit his relatives in 
Scotland, but met witli no encouragement to study art in 
North Briton, S(j witliin a couple of years, during which he 
endured great hardships, he returned to America. While 
in Europe he had, however, learned to conquer some of the 
techni^cal difficulties that had hampered his work, so on 
reaching home he was commissioned to paint several por- 
traits, which fully occupied his time, and his success encour- 
aged him to persevere in the pursuit he had chosen, while 
the emplopnent gave him some ready money, that proved 
his talents had sufficient commercial value to be worth 
cultivating. 

Still Stuart was restless, and determined on starting 
again for London to study art under Benjamin "West, so he 
embarked at Boston just as war was breaking out, in the 
last vessel that left the port before it was blockaded. The 
night previous to leaving Newport Stuart si)ent under the 
\\'indow of a young lady, playing melancholy tunes on his 
flute, but as his talents were rather for the pencil than music, 
his serenade gave pleasure to no one, not even the young 
lady for wliom it was given, whose father finally put a stop 

i93 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

to the noise in an abrupt and uncomplimentary manner, 
that made Stuart leave Newport so unhappy that he could 
not be induced to return for many decades. Indeed, the 
young artist had little inducement to do so. His parents 
fled to Nova Scotia when Newport was occupied by the 
British, and almost all the old inhabitants were driven from 
their homes. There was no emploJ^llent or domestic ties to 
entice him to his native to^^^l, that had been desolated and 
ruined by the enemy, and, above all things to the impres- 
sionable artist, the young lady had married a favored suitor. 

On reaching London, Gilbert Stuart presented his let- 
ters to West, who accepted his fellow-countryman for a 
student, allowing him to begin his studies in 1777. Stuart 
was then but twenty-two years of age, but he made such 
progress that he had many patrons, which encouraged 
him to take a house, in which he lived so extravagantly 
that although money flowed in freely it disappeared as 
rapidly. With the carelessness of one who could earn 
money without effort, the yoimgster was reckless in his 
expenditure, so much so that when he fell in love with the 
sister of a fellow-student the match was bitterly opposed on 
accomit of the imprudence of the young artist. Notwith- 
standing all obstacles, Stuart succeeded in persuading Miss 
Charlotte Coates to marry him in 1786 and move to Ireland, 
where he was promised employment. This he obtained, but 
being anxious to return to America after the conclusion of 
the war, he carried his wife and family to his native land, 
arriving in New York in 1792. 

While in Europe Stuart met many of the celebrated men 
of the day, among others Dr. Samuel Johnson, who, with 
the ignorance of many of his contemporaries on subjects 
connected with America, expressed great astonishment that 
Stuart did not look more like a red Indian, and inquired 

294 



NATIVK AND VISITING ARTISTS 

where he had learned English, to which the indignant artist 
hastily replied, '* Not from yonr dictionary," to the nn- 
hounded surprise of the worthy doctor. 

Although the colonists were struggling to recover their 
conunerce and prosperity after the long disastrous war, and 
many of them were impoverished, there were still some who 
could patronize the artist and afford to pay the price he now 
demanded for his pictures. His chief ambition was to 
paint the " fatlicr of his country," for which purpose he 
followed President A\'ashington to Phihulelphia in the 
autumn of 1794. This move resulted in Stuart's being 
thrown with many notable persons. He had over twenty- 
five commissions to paint General Washington, which ac- 
counts for the numerous likenesses now existing signed with 
Gilbert Stuart's name. 

After moving from one place to another, and painting 
many portraits of distinguished })eople, Stuart settled in 
Boston, wdiere he remained until his death, July 27, 1828. 
He died of an attack of the gout, in the seventy-third year 
of his age, leaving a widow and three daughters. When her 
husband died ]\rrs. Stuart moved to Newport, where pre- 
viously the famil\' had (>nl\- spcuit the suimner months. So 
Miss Jane Stuart may be (-onsidered one of Newport's 
native ai-tists, as slic lived tliei'c from tliat time until lier 
death. She was a jjiipil of lici- father's, and often undi'r- 
took to copy the portraits he liad painted of well-known 
men. Tliis task she accomplislied with rare fidelity and 
skill, and in (-(^isecpience frecpient discussions have taken 
place as to which portrait was the original painted from 
life by Gilbert Stuart and which the copy. Miss Stuart was 
in her element as a copyist, but she was not happy in oi-igi- 
nal portraiture, never having studied anatomy. But her 
coloring was l)rilliant, and witli gi'cater advantages tliau a 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

careless father would give, even to a most enthusiastic 
scholar, she might have lisen to fame and distinction. 

Miss Jane Stuart lived quietly the greater part of her 
life in Newport, dying there toward the end of the nine- 
teenth century, at an advanced age. She had spent the 
greater part of her life there, for Gilbert Stuart's repug- 
nance to his native place once overcome, he visited it fre- 
quently. He delighted in renewing the association of his 
childhood and meeting his old playmates. At one time he 
wrote, " The uniform kindness in this famous resort for 
travellers attracts me. So easy is living in Newport that I 
fear there are many lazy dogs around. Why, there were 
many posts up and down Thames Street for the convenience 
of coimtry-folks, who fastened their horses to them when 
they came to town. But at my last visit I found the posts 
were gone, so I asked Townsend why it was so. Said he, 
' There used to he always two or three sturdy men holding 
on to every post, to keep themselves from falling down, so 
lazy were they, but the town council has taken the posts all 
away, in hope that their old customers and dependants will 
go to work.' " 

But the removal of the posts was not due to the ener- 
getic measures of the town council, according to another 
authority, who states that they had originally been planted 
before different stores, not only for hitching-posts, but also 
to protect the corners of the houses at the entrance to the 
different wharves, and to prevent carts from striking the 
shoj) windows on the narrow roadway, where there was no 
side-walk, for William Ellery Channing, in his amusing 
recollections of his boyhood days in Newport, writes: 
' ' They were very much in the way, so one night a company 
of yoimg fellows mischievously cut down all but one." It 
took the scamps nearly the whole night, and when daylight 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 

broke tliey were forced to Hee or be discovered by early 
risers, so they wrote in chalk on the solitary sentinel they 
bad spared, " Post poned," thns affording much amuse- 
ment to the passers-by on the following day, who were so 
well satisfied to have some of the obstructions in Thames 
Street cleared away that no complaints were made to the 
city authorities. 

Ijike man}' geniuses, Gilbert Stuart was (juick-tempered 
and jealous. Various stories are related of his abrupt man- 
ners or strange habits. He was commissioned by the State 
of Rhode Island to paint the portrait of General Washing- 
ton, which was hung in the old State-House, and is the best 
specimen of Stuart's work in his native State. He was also 
asked to paint Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, as a com- 
panion picture, but some criticism of his work annoyed the 
artist, who neglected to finisli it, in spite of the large sum 
offered him. 

Newport proudly claims Edward G. Malbone, the most 
eminent American miniature j^ainter, as all her own. Born 
and bred within its lindts, a son of the soil for generations, 
educated by the masters of the town, devoted to the birth- 
place of his forefathers, with a true love of home ingrained 
in his soul from childhood, ahnost every dollar that he 
earned after his fame was established as a portrait-painter 
was laid aside with the hope that in time he might reclaim 
the estates of his ancestors on Miantonomi Hill ; but unfor- 
tunately he died before he realized a sufficient sum to accom- 
plish his desires, so the property passed into the hands of 
strangers. But Newport was always the home of the artist, 
where his best work was done, and he is strongly identified 
with it. 

Edward Malbone was descended from (lodfrey Malbone, 
a rich merchant, who witli his brotlicr .lolm sctth-d in 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Newport. They had been born in Princess Anne County, 
Virginia, but moved in 1700. Godfrey Malbone purchased 
a large tract of land bordering on Narragansett Bay, a short 
distance north of the town of New^^ort, on what is now 
called Malbone Avenue, leading past Miantonomi Hill to 
the old fort on Coddington's Point, that fills one with rem- 
iniscences of the tribe of Indians who occupied it, as well 
as the troops who have defended it at different times. 

It is said that Godfrey Malbone 's house, the foundations 
of which were laid in 1744, was the handsomest and most 
expensive in the colony. The lower part was of stone 
brought from Connecticut, and, says a contemporary writer, 
' ' the house was perhaps superior to any in America for ele- 
gance, both in the architecture of the mansion house and the 
fine taste disj)layed in its once magnificent garden," the 
ruins of which, as late as 1838, gave some idea of its former 
splendor. The gossips confidently declare that it cost one 
hundred thousand dollars, which was a fabulous price in 
the days when the income of the richest Newport citizens 
seldom exceeded five hundred dollars a year, particularly 
for a two-story wooden house, but this smn is mentioned by 
more than one chronicler. There was a trap-door in the 
cellar of the house leading to a subterranean passage, with 
an opening on the shore where boats could land even at low 
tide, and there were gruesome tales concerning slaves who 
were hidden in undergroimd caves, or rooms filled with con- 
traband goods. During the Revolution this hidden passage 
was used by the spies who were constantly on the watch for 
all news regarding the movements of the enemy, but this 
was done so secretly that no written record remains of the 
dangerous undertakings carried on directly under the eyes 
of the British. 

The house, although only two stories high, had a double 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 

pitched roof with dormer windows. It was sixty-four feet 
front by fifty-two feet deep. Inside the house from the 
main hall sprang a circular staircase leading to a cupola. 
This was one of the wonders of the day to the simple-minded 
colonists, that furnished as much food for gossip as the 
discussed and often described hanging marble staircase in 
the Breakers has been in the twentieth century. Mr. Mal- 
bone's stairway was of mahogany, the wood for which had 
been unported from Honduras in liis own ships. The doors 
of the house also were of the same rare tree, making the 
trim alone of the mansion wortli as nnich as an ordinary 
Newport dwelling-house, just as tlie fanK)us stairway in 
Mrs. A^anderbilt's palace was probabl}' as expensive as 
many of tlie cottages of the present day. 

Tliis was the date when the story is told of Simon Pease, 
who was one of the rich men in Newport before tlie Revo- 
lution. Mr. Peterson, in his " History of Rhode Island," 
page 112, says, " AVilliam Hooker, a silversmith, ventured 
to ask Mr. Pease what he spent yearly. The reply was 
given sadly: ' It costs me the enormous sum of five hmi- 
dred dollars a year.' At that time a person worth ten thou- 
sand dollars was considered rich, and in 1853," Mr. Peter- 
son continues, " tlie income of ten thousand dollars was 
thought a good one in Xewp<>i-t." Mr. Mallxmc's houses, 
gardens, and farm were, tlieret'ore, notc^wortiiy even in 
Rhode Island, where the Hammersmith estate and Governor 
Easton's, Mr. Jeffrey's, and ^Irs. John Bannister's country- 
seats were accustomed features. These places were all laid 
out with care, and would outrival those of to-day, for they 
were beautiful parks extending over acres of ground. ]\Ir. 
Malbone's gardens alone enclosed ten acres. They were laid 
out with exquisite taste and skill. The gravelled walks were 
edged with l)ox, wliiie the borders were tilled with rare 

299 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

plants brought by the owner's ships from southern coun- 
tries. A living spring had been conducted to three different 
pools, filled with aquatic flowers and containing gold or 
silver fish, that the credulous citizens believed had been 
touched by the wand of Midas. 

The farm extended for six hundred acres north of the 
house, to Coddington Cove, and was well stocked with cattle. 
But besides the country-seat, Mr. Malbone had a town house 
built of brick, in which the cornices of the main rooms were 
gilt and the mantles were of marble. 

The fortune of the colonist had been made by importing 
slaves from Africa, or rum and molasses from the West 
Indies. In the half-century he had lived in Newport he had 
made himself feared and respected. Besides the trading- 
and coasting-vessels, in 1740 Mr. Godfrey Malbone fitted 
out several privateers to protect his own merchantmen. 
Two of these vessels were lost in a gale in 1745, with the 
result that Newport had two hundred widows. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Godfrey Malbone was a 
bold seafaring man, with rough manners, he was so noted 
for his hospitality that few of the celebrated people who 
visited Newport in the middle of the eighteenth century 
refused his invitations. One hot smnmer day, June 7, 1766, 
after a severe thunder-storm, the roof of the wonderful 
house was found to be on fire. Some said it was struck by 
lightning, while others declared it had caught from a spark 
from the kitchen, where a great feast was being prepared by 
Mr. Malbone 's unrivalled negro cook. It is declared that 
houses in Ne^vport are preserved in salt, causing them to 
burn very slowly. The servants and guests tried in vain to 
extinguish the flames, but seeing the house was doomed, 
they carried out the pictures, furniture, and silver, imtil the 
lawn was covered with valuable articles. Finally the host 

300 



NATIVK AND VISITING ARTISTS 

exclaimed, " If I have lost my house, there is no reason 
why I should lose my dinner," so he ordered the table set 
under the trees, with the relics of his furniture, and the 
guests, with the hostess at the head of the board, made a 
capital meal in sjiite of the catastrophe that had lie fallen 
hospitable Godfrey Malbone. 

But the catastrophe led to many disputes ])ot\veon hus- 
band and wife, for the former declared that the house could 
have been saved had she not stood in the doorway protesting 
that the neighbors who tried to push to the rescue should 
not enter, as Mrs. Malbone said that " their feet were dirty, 
and she woidd not allow them to soil her immaculately clean 
floors." 

Mrs. Malbone was born Margaret Scott. She had sev- 
eral children, — a son, Thomas, who married Miss Brinley 
and built a great house at Brooklyn, Wyndham County, 
Comiecticut, and four daughters, one of whom married 
Fi'aiicis l>riidoy, anotliei- Majoi- Fairchild, another i)i-. 
^lacKay, while the fourtli and most beautiful married llie 
noted physician. Dr. William Hunter, transmitting her deli- 
cate, clear-cut features to her descendants, who are so well 
known to-day in Newport. 

One hundred years after the old house was burned a 
new one was built on the site })y Prescott Ilall, a well- 
known lawyer of New York, who made Newport his sununer 
home for many years. Like all the other pioneer cottagers 
who made the place the mode at the end of the nineteenth 
century, Mr. Hall was drawn there by ancestral ties. His 
grandfather ^fartin had owned a place on Conanicut, where 
he had been killed during a British raid while standing 
quietly on his own door-step. Mr. Hall's moilier was the 
daughter of Peter Mumford, of Newi)ort, while his wife 
was the daughter of James de Wolf, of I'rovidence, and 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

sister of Mrs. Robert L. Cutting, of New York. The sisters 
were famous for their gracious manners and musical tal- 
ents. Mr. Hall was an intimate friend of Daniel Webster, 
and " EL loyal, manlj^, generous man," says Mr. Henry 
Tuekerman, " warm in his affections and devoted to friend- 
ship. ' ' Among Mr. Hall 's particular associates was Charles 
H. Russell, who was born in Mary Street, Newport, but 
moved to New York, where he became a successful mer- 
chant. His beautiful countiy-seat, Oaklawn, was for many 
years one of the show places on Bellevue Avenue. 

Philip Hone, mayor of New York, made Mr. Hall a 
member of his celebrated Dinner Club, where other brilliant 
wits met constantly, such as Charles King, president of 
Cokimbia College, whose father, Ruf us King, had been Gen- 
eral Sullivan's aide-de-camp in the battle of Rhode Island. 
Mr. Richard M. Blatchford was another member of this 
noted club. His daughter is one of the best known of the 
upper ten thousand of Newport to-day, and her pretty cot- 
tage on Catherine Street, near that of her sister, Mrs. Ed- 
ward Potter, is the centre of the court end of what are 
called the " Hill-top people." 

Mr. Blatchford, Mr. Hall, Mr. Russell, Mr. Fearing, and 
Mr. Sherman were among the pioneers of the " cottagers" 
at Newport, and all met frequently under Mr. Hall's hos- 
pitable roof at Malbone, and these names will recall many 
pleasant memories to those who remember Newport when it 
was first invaded by " the summer resident." 

Captain Francis Malbone, a relative of Godfrey, was 
a schoolmate of William Ellery Channing, who spent his 
early days in Newport, but Malbone moved to Wyndham 
County, Connecticut, where he founded Brooklyn in that 
State. He bought a large tract of land on the beautifiil 
Quinebaug River. There he laid out a magnificent estate, 



NATIVK AND VISITING ARTISTS 

built a oliurc'li for his own use and that of his dependants, 
established a curate in a manse with a glebe, and lived him- 
self in great sj^lendor, attended b}' numerous slaves. 

Edward G. IMalbone, New])ort's noted artist, was born in 
August, 1777. lie was a di'caiiiy. sensitive boy, who oceu- 
l)ied himself i'or lumi-s l)l(>\viii,n' hu])bles, deliglited with the 
glowing colors and rapidly vai'yiiig tints. His imagination 
was kindled ])y tlic di'amatic i'(']ii'csentati(>ns given in the 
upiKT ])art of the old market l)y roving bands of actors. 
Here he would linger during the day when no performances 
were taking place, until he finally became accpiainted with 
all the loungers on T.ong Wharf, among whom were the men 
who occasionally painted tlie rude scenes for the primitive 
theatre. From them the ])oy learned to handle a brush. 
He was immensely elated when he finally succeeded in i)aint- 
ing a very fair representation of a sylvan scene. Malbone's 
father despised the talents of the child, but in spite of all 
obstacles he coiiiiimed to draw or paint on eveiy substance 
he could find. The smooth pe1)bles or shells he picked u[) on 
the Iteach were (lec(»rated with the likenesses of his friends, 
or he would buy a " connnon handkerchief ])in" of painted 
bone, clean from it the ])i('ture already on it, to cover it witli 
devices of his own. ^Yhen the sketch pleased him he would 
reset the miniature and present it to some favorite school- 
mate. AVhen oidy si.xteen he copied a likeness of Sir 
Thomas Lawicnce in water-colors on paper, which was 
shown to a French artist in Philadelphia, who was asked to 
take the boy as a pupil. The crusty fellow abruptly refused, 
saying, " De boy would take de bread out of my mouth." 

Failing to get the instruction he wanted in Newport, 
]\ralbonc left the city, but contrived to support himself by 
painting miniatures in different towns until the death of 
his father in 1796, when he went to Boston, where he re- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

newed his intimacy with his friend. Washington Allstbn, 
with whom he had played, and studied drawing under King 
in the back of his shop on Thames Street. Allston was still 
at Harvard, but after graduating he returned with Malbone 
to spend the summer of 1800 in Newport. In the autvimn 
the friends went together to Charleston, where Allston 
introduced the young Newporter to his family. While in 
the southern city Malbone painted many portraits, and 
some of the best specimens of his work are still preserved 
in the families of the Manigaults, Hugers, Middletons, 
Rutledges, etc. 

By means of his art Malbone earned enough to sail for 
Europe in May, 1801, with his friend Allston. When in 
London they visited West, who said afterwards, when con- 
versing with James Monroe (at the time minister to France 
from the United States), " I have seen a picture painted by 
a young man of the name of Malbone which no man in 
England could excel." 

It was during Malbone 's visit to London that he was 
inspired to paint his largest and most famous picture. It 
was a fancy sketch of three beautiful women, and he called 
the painting " The Hours;" but although described as his 
largest picture, it is not the size of an ordinary sheet of 
writing paper, and might well be called a miniature. It is 
as fresh and clear to-day, after one hundred years of life, 
as when it was painted. The tints are tender, the pose of 
the women's heads is most graceful, and their complexions 
are lifelike. The Hours has been engraved, but the prints 
are very rare, and they give little idea of the beauty of the 
original. 

Malbone was a man who delighted in meeting new peo- 
ple, and took pleasure in drawing out the character of his 
sitters, which shows itself in the expression he gives to his 

304 





^■|H^#J 




^^^^^^ESS^^' ' 


!( ^^nlllM 










^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


mmiu 






^1 -i . 


fm 


\mW 


T^^^ra|^l 


ji 


X 


^J^^l^^^m^m^/'^^^^m 






^^^^^1 




jJm^^^JIm 


^^g 






Vm 


I 


^^.^Ulyfe 


1 


'^% 


Ih^^'^ ^ flKi» 


JBJ 


m 


^Uiiiiimiiiiiii!'iii ""'"^^HBBB 


sgfl 


mi 


^SBJI^^^^^^^^SI^^^B 


^^^^ 



NATIVE AND VISITING ARTISTS 

portraits. Tlie lova])le traits of one are strongly marked, 
while in other i^ictnrcs, snch as those of some well-known 
man, the sordid side of the character or the crafty look in 
the eyes makes a miniature disagreeable, even to a descend- 
ant, who dislikes the portrait of the ancestor while treas- 
uring the product of the artist's hand. Allston writes of 
his friend: " No woman ever lost any beauty from his 
hand, and the fair would often become still fairer from his 
pencil. To this he added a grace of execution all his own." 
And again: " As a man his disposition was amiable and 
generous, wholly free from any taint of professional 
jealousy." 

Malbone was a hard worker ; he l)egan before breakfast, 
then snatched a hurried meal, after which he would work 
steadil}' for eight hours at a time. He was so devoted to his 
art he ('(Mild not bear to lay it aside, even after the sun had 
set, so he contrived to fasten some glasses in a frame, by 
means of which he concentrated the rays of a candle, throw- 
ing them on the ivory in order to be able to paint after dark. 

While Malbone was in England tlie president of the 
Royal Academy gave the young artist many valuable hints, 
and l)ecame so attached to him that West begged tbe young 
American to remain in Tjondon, saying, " You liave nothing 
to fear from pi-ofessional competition." 

Malbone drew at the Royal Academy, Somci'set House, 
in the autumn of 1801, receiving there many lessons that im- 
proved his style and taste. But lie was homesick, so re- 
turned to Charleston in 1802, where he completed some of 
his ])est miniatures. After this he visited the j)rincipal 
Northern cities, setting up his easel in each of them and 
commanding all thc^ sitters for wlioiti he liad time, even at 
the higli price lie asked. wliii-Ii was fifty dollars a head. 
Among the nuiiiei-ous people lie painted in New York were 



NI'.WI'OIM OIIK '.OJ lAI, ( AI'll Al 



Mr. .ui.l ,Vi(t(. W(ill,(-r r,..7/n<-. Tlic I;.I,I,<t w;n'. I,li<(, ii Ih i.|.:, 
who Ii.mI I. n h.r l,.,i,i<' in H'-urhoroiiKfi, MuuK-, I... ToDoy/ Ikt 
liUi'.l»iiiHl In (lif irK'l lo)»<(ll(',, wIktc i-'.Iic w/ii'l \'li.iu\ ;in'l c-UCiil',*',*! 
/IH (lie (iio;'l, )/ciiiil il'iil v/'iin(in 'il' Ikt d/iy. 'I'lic iioiirail^ 
|i(i)(i(<''l liy .Vliillx/iic now Ii/iiik on Uic w(ill«or VVillov/ I'witil^, 
l''lNHliinf/, iiml ;iic owik'iI \iy \ii:r gCfUMlMon, Wnll'i' l'.o'//n<! 
liUWI'<t»i('<i. )''co»ri Ml'H, lJown<!'(i l< ll< r To lni mollKi, .Innc 
\H, IHO;j, we, (dlw, UKMtxiciutl,: 

" Miill<on<', li;.i', ,|n;',(, (lnifili<'<l my |nrl,ii<., I.iii. I ;.ni (li;i 
()|.)..n»ilc.«l in il. !!<■ I'.iiyp. Iir^ iui;; noi -lonr ni<- ,)ii;',U.-(.. Ho 
«/ty« Mr, UowiK', I>mI I IIhmI., llio' llic \'i:i\\tvi-M tm; nlrlliline,, 
Ik*. Ii/(« /io(, fimj'lil III' <• )iii-;ion of Ilic i;yi',H, wlil''li lire, 
i;X(u;m\vc\y pinciivf, woiiM ilo loi I ilr-ni<-'i'. ,Vl;inii. Tin: 
Mioiilli IdiiKli.'i /I lilll'', JiihI 111';/ ;«ll ;•,.■.;/ 111 K"'"l. I'"'- ""■ '•;/•■'"• 
nol. Ilic (liin)/ lie, wdiili', mm; I,o i^.il, (if/iiin in ;ino(,lici' 

|/OI',lljOII " 

Mj.il.onr |,i.iiil.-.l ;i r.vv i',n,;ill ian.l;,.-;, |,.';'., I, ill, w;.ii .|.'Vol,f,<l 
l.o \iiit\.ni\\.\\n; itnij ^fvy l<w of llic roinici- <';in \,c ii|«iil i(i<i| 
n.H liiH wnrlt. In \mi, lu- r<,nl.rn.|..,| „ i-<v.i.- .•o!,| ||,;,| ;.,.l 1 1.-,| 
on III;: liiii|_',', 'I'Ik- (lorloiv, onliKil loni on ;i lonj', voynf^c, no 

I,.- i..„li.-.| loi Ihr i;,li,.Ml ol .l/lliii.l.;,, I, III ill.- <|.-|.ilil.(l(,itlK 

r.\\„uiU; ol' KinKHloii only i.-.|iirr.| lli. ;'lirn;'ll, ol' lli.- -ill' 
i't'.Vf.v, wlio liiiolily rciiiini-.| lo Aiii<ii<;i in lio|,i-'. of iciirlnnK 
N(fW(»orl, lull Ik .Ii-.I 111 Iliiviinnnli, ,Vliiy Y, l^'.OY, in llic 
Uiirl.y H<:ron.| y.i.i oT Inf. ,i,m'. 

I)iinlii|i H/iyh, " 'I'Imi worl'.ii ol' IVIiill.onc ,11. • ini|.ici!;',c,f| 
Willi Uw. m-iii ol' j-M-niiit'. ; llic ^^'.|•a<•l•, |iiiiil\, jumI dihrary (,1' 
lilfi clmnn'lcr ncc nliiin|>i(l iijion IIhid " 




■^A. 






tiuu . ■ 4x 



'ki 



/jf/*-y 



y/e«w..v/.*u,r^ 




IiAr,KWAKI> M.AN'CJ'.S 

III-; hoiJW;H built l;y \S\i: \\V¥S. W'SSSi'.V^. 

.'.'•;■<; liU.lr; fx;U/;;' Ui;iK Jo« h(if.«, rudrtly 
;i/i'l \\iiy.\\\y r,i,tiHi.nn'.iji:(l, but Uk^m'; 
•A ':;•<; H')')ti v<',\>\u.i-A-A by '■/)infot'i.u.\tli'. 
jfc ; r fj p 'M^ M .i/i'j c^inniiinliiiiiH }ioiJ«^;«, with ;i 
p^-.__ . ..*^^J<«' iir.tvV.fA f«;;ifijn; for f.b'; p<;;'io'J, aw 

S5^*>'- " Tk#(^u-.i4i*f^/ ♦*"'y ^''1-'' '•ii'iiiUK-.yH biiilf, of ib<; llaf, 
HUttK'M fbai w<',r<; h'; r/ntit(i'iti in f.b/; n';i((bborboo<), 'I'intfA; 
v/cri: ])\\cA on <:;u;}i oUi<;r an/J }(r;hJ in fJ.V/', l/y f.b<', «b<;ll 
Xfiorijir that, wax n^vJily fna/)<; f/orn riinU'.rlsd i-UtfA- ui ha//'J, 
but Wf;n; always built on tb/; noHJ), oulxi/l<; of tb<; iiotw., 
t}j<; Urtf/;r f/> warm th<! iikhiih. (Hh-. vt'.tj i,\i\ rnar/xion on 
(]t,tiH.ii\('.ni xhowM Ibix 'ju;i.i/(t c.onHi.nu&inii. liy Hn; line; 
('AiarUtf. \l. airri''. U) i.}n: tbron'-. a rn'.w KiyU- of a/'';fjiW:tu/'<' 
U;^an xlov/ly f/> \ni\\u:fiOM \,ht; Ai\mi\nt-.t'k f:tnhlftit, that wa« 
f'.'A\\('A ihi f'oniK'^dU'Mi \.y\»('., win^n f'lr iin', nak<; of t'/'/itiotny 
the. c.h'iiinn'.yH wcff. lAn'j'A in i\n: <'j:uirt', of tb<; itoniv:, v/'iHt 
fjr';pla/;/rx o|Krnin;< \>iw.k U> \tH/'.k \u\/i tb/: f/rincif/al rooinf.. 
Tb'; W;/ron/l v!t/;ry oft/^n proj<'/rf/yJ tv/o or tfi/'-^; f<r/rt, '/.r/inie, 
iithitt r'f'lUi on tb<; rjpf/<;/- floor and a Hfx-yl ov<;r tb/; lov/';/' on/;. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

George Roome, an early settler, had two houses, as was 
customary among the rich men of his day ; one was in the 
hamlet of Newport, the other on Conanicut, that he called 
Bachelor's Hall. The house at the former was at the Point, 
rather too close to the spermaceti factories to be agreeable 
to people of delicate senses, for when the wind set from that 
quarter the disgusting smell of boiling fat drove the in- 
mates of the houses to close the windows, which was perhaps 
the reason that Mr. Roome built " a little country villa," 
as he modestly called it, on the opposite side of Narragan- 
sett Bay. 

This mansion was carefully finished. The trim and deco- 
rations were elaborate and ornate. One feature was pecu- 
liar, for the beds were concealed behind the wainscots. 
** The rooms might be traversed throughout, and not a bed 
for the repose of his guests be seen," says a contempora- 
neous writer, and " when the hour for retirement arrived 
a servant would just give a touch to a spring in the ceiling, 
and the visitor's bed, by means of a self-adjusting process, 
would protrude itself, as if by the effect of magic, ready 
prepared for the reception of its tenant." 

This fashion was copied from the Dutch settlers in New 
Amsterdam, where almost all the houses were provided with 
concealed beds that were reserved for unexpected guests. 
As early as 1642 Oloff Van Cortlandt had a house built for 
him on Stone Street, the contract for building which has 
been preserved. In particular it calls for a peculiar kind 
of cupboard, named a " slaap-bauck, " that was to be ])uilt 
into the side walls of the main room, and was to be provided 
with a shelf, on Avhich a mattress could be laid. Closing 
folding doors concealed the bed, and these doors could be 
easily thrown back at night, while during the day, when 
they were shut, they looked like part of the wainscoting. 



BACKWARD GLANCES 

Among otlier early Newport houses was one on the Point 
that was built 1)y Jonathan Nichols, who, with his father, 
had occupied the dignified position of deputy -governor of 
the Province. The son was a prominent merchant, as well 
as an active politi(dan. After his death Colonel Joseph 
Wanton II., who was also a deputy-governor, bought the 
house, living in it initil the evacuation of Newport by the 
British, when he followed them to New York, believing that 
place to be a safer and more congenial home for a spirited 
loyalist like himself, dying there August 7, 1780. It was 
in this house that Admiral de Tiernay died. After the war 
the house was purchased by William Hunter, son of the old 
doctor of that name. The son married Mary Robinson, one 
of the coquettish daughters of Mrs. William Robinson, and 
their descendants are among the most fashionable people of 
Newport's smart set. 

The old house was a good specimen of that Colonial 
architecture that was quite distinct from the prevalent 
fashion in Virginia, as seen in the Byrd house, or that of 
Boston, as recalled by the Hancock and Cragie houses, or 
the Dutch architecture of the old mansion " Fort Crailo," 
near Albany, on the Hudson, belonging to the Van Rensse- 
laer family. The front door of the Hiinter house was sur- 
rounded by richly carved bunches of grapes, with tenderly 
cut leaves and tendrils. Directly in the centre of the pedi- 
ment there was a pineapple of admirable design, that took 
the place that may have been occupied by the crest of the 
Nicholses, that was removed by subsequent o\vners of the 
house. John Rutledge hired it and spent many summers 
in it. 

Governor Coddington's residence had a hall running 
through its centre, with an overlapping second story. It 
was an unpretentious building in comparison with " The 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Chimneys, ' ' on the Hammersmith estate, or the marvellous 
house built by Godfrey Malbone. On the East Road, six 
miles from Newport, still stands a vacant, desolate building 
once the beautiful house of hospitable Samuel Elam, called 
by him Vaucluse, after the village and foimtain in France 
made famous by Petrarch. The luxury of this house ex- 
ceeded all those of that date. Mr. Elam was president of 
the Rhode Island Union Bank from its incorporation until 
his death in 1813. It was his custom to drive regularly 
from his country-seat to town in order to superintend the 
affairs of the bank. He always wore a peculiar drab-colored 
coat and small clothes, with white satin vest, that made him 
a remarkable figure. 

In 1754 the Rev. Jacob Baily wrote of Newport: " It 
is a most beautiful place. The northeast side is built with 
two streets of painted houses, above which lies a most 
delightful hill, gradually ascending to a great distance, 
all cut into gardens, orchards, pleasant fields, and beau- 
tiful enclosures, which strike the eye with agreeable sur- 
prises." 

The United Company of Spermaceti Chandlers, that 
formed a trust on the 5th of November, 1761, made the 
little town the centre of the wealth of the country. Eirms 
from Nantucket, Providence, and Boston formed this trust, 
among others John and William Roach. There were seven- 
teen factories in Newport alone, and the merchants were 
not backward in displaying their wealth after the fashion 
of the day. The houses, however, with the exception of 
Godfrey Malbone 's, which was of stone, were all built of 
wood, and in 1793 there were only six brick buildings in 
the town. The reason given for this was that they were 
damp, and therefore unhealthy, so only public buildings 
were erected of brick. Pour of these were the Redwood 

310 



BACKWARD GLANCES 

Library, the Jews' synagogue, the market, and the State- 
House. 

Thames Street had been paved as early as 1768, the 
money to do this having been raised by a lottery that was 
authorized by the Assembly. A local poet was once moved 
by the muses at the sight of the narrow historic street, 
saying, — 

' ' As ye saunter along by the shops of old Thames 
Some wearing new faces, yet keeping old names, 
In letters twice darkened or touched with new gold, 
Unmistakable signs of ye welcome behold!" 

One of the oldest and most characteristic of these aged 
houses disappeared in March, 1905, when the Swinburne, 
Peckham & Co. building was torn down to give place to 
necessary improvements. The roof had been covered with 
moss, giving it a hoary, jjicturesque appearance, so the 
lovers of artistic effect are grieved to lose it, but Thames 
Street will be greatly benefited by its removal. 

On this street are the principal banks and shops of the 
town, so its narrow roadway is crowded at all hours of the 
day. On the corner of Thames and Church Streets is the 
house owned by James Honyman. It is now occupied by 
Mr. Seabury as a shoe-shop. Displayed in the windows is 
a small but comprehensive exhibition of shoes of all ages 
and nations, collected by the owner, that is both valuable 
and rare. 

In the early days it was customary to drag thieves at 
the cart-tail and whip them from the State-House through 
Spring Street and back by Thames Street, but offences of 
this sort were rare. Only men suffered in this fashion, for 
women were punished in the jail. Counterfeiters or other 
malefactors were put on a movable pillory platform that 

311 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

was placed in front of the State-House and moved to each 
quarter of the compass every fifteen minutes. 

The modern city hall, that was erected at the beginning 
of the twentieth century on the site of the Bull House on 
Broadway, is by no means as pleasing to the eye as the old 
State-House, built in 1739, that still overlooks the Parade 
on the corner of Broadway. From the balcony proclama- 
tions ai"e still made by an officer dressed in quaint garb. 
On this perch the herald announced the death of the kings 
of England and the names, titles, etc., of the successors 
were proclaimed by the officer who was appointed to officiate 
by the Heralds' office in London. The high sheriff annually 
annoimces : 

" Gentlemen, please to take notice that his Excellency • 

is elected Governor for the year ensuing. God save the State of Rhode 
Island." 

Public meetings have frequently taken place in the old 
State-House, besides the Colonial Assemblies, and after- 
wards the Senate and Representatives of the State of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations. Among them was a 
notable one in 1766, to rejoice over the repeal of the law 
that had enacted the Stamp Act. 

A non-importation meeting was held here soon after, 
and another at the time the " Gaspe" was burned, in 1772. 
The Declaration of IndejDendence was proclaimed from the 
State-House steps July 20, 1776, by Major John Handy, 
and here General Washington was received in 1790, after 
the convention ratifying the Constitution of the United 
States had met under the ancient roof. 

The Roman Catholic church, St. Joseph's, standing 
overlooking the Parade, with its Grecian coliunns, marks an 
epoch. It is a conspicuous feature, but some of its contem- 

312 



BACKWARD GLANCKS 

l^oraries have hicldcii tlicii- faces or turned their backs to 
the march of progress. ( )iie of them, owned once by Chris- 
toplier Champlin, is concealed by the shops that are in 
the front rank on Thames Street. It was at one time beauti- 
fully furnished, the wainscoting and other woodwork ])eing 
well finished, the details of the house showing that the early 
inhabitants of Newport appreciated the luxuries of life; as 
well as those who have succeeded them. 

A house filled with historic interest, that has had many 
owners, is on Mary Street. All persons of note visiting 
the town after the K'evolulion were entertained by l\lrs. 
Champlin, who was .Mai'tha iv^edwood Ellery. After her 
death it was bouglit Ijy Duncan O. Pell, whose widow lived 
there to a very advanced age, noted to the last for hei* wit 
and beauty. After her death it passed into the liands of 
the Yovmg Glen's Christian Association, so all traces of the 
original building will soon be swept away. 

The li(»use which stands out as a landmark at the head 
of Mill Street, opposite the old stone mill, is clearly shown 
in an early sketch of Newport. It was once the residence 
of Major-General Nathaniel Greene, afterwards owned by 
Governor Gibbs, then by the late Henry Tuckerman, and 
at present by ex-Mayor Frederick Garretson. 

What is called the J\ing house, on Pelham Street, had 
a charming doorway. 

Governor Van Zandt's imposing mansion has been con- 
verted into a curiosity shoj) filled with valuables that coax 
people into many extravagances. General Prescott's head- 
quarters, {jt the corner of Pelham and Spring Streets, origi- 
nally belonged to Mr. Bannister, one of Newjiort's million- 
aires. Captain Kidd is said to have lived in a house on 
Franklin Street close to the present post-office. 

Only a few of the interesting old buildings in Newport 

313 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

can be enumerated. A lover of such is richly rewarded for 
wandering through the lanes and by-ways of the old town 
by finding nimierous quaint and pretty fagades that are 
perhaps sadly tarnished or faded by age, but can still 
mutely offer records of past glories. One spot has held 
many historic associations. It is a triangle at the junction 
of Thames and Farewell Streets, that was deeded to the 
town in 1765 by Captain William Reed, who planted a tree 
in its centre to commemorate the spirited opposition to the 
Stamp Act on the part of the people of Ne^vport. 

When the place was occupied by the British this tree 
was cut dowTi, but on the return of peace another was 
planted in its place. A copper plate, oval in form and 
nearly two feet long, was nailed to the tree. On the plate 
were engraved the names of fourteen of Newport's citizens 
who replanted the liberty tree April 25, 1783. Among them 
were Thomas Mumford, Benjamin Lawton, and George 
Perry, all easily recognized in these days. To mark their 
honor for the " liberty tree," these men had carried the 
sapling from Portsmouth on their shoulders. 

In 1782 Count de Segur writes of Newport : 

" Other parts of America were only beautiful by anticipation, but 
the prosperity of Rhode Island was already complete. Newport, well 
and regularly built, contained a numerous population, whose happiness 
was indicated by its prosperity. It offered delightful circles composed of 
enlightened men and modest, handsome women, whose talents heightened 
their personal attractions." 

" By 1788 the population had decreased," says Brissot 
de Warville, " the glory of Newport was gone, trade para- 
lyzed, society scattered, old families had emigrated;" and 
further, " The solitude which reigns here, and which is 
only interrupted by groups of idlers who stand silently at 



BACKWARD GLANCES 

the street corners; the general dilapidation and the 
wretched look of the shops, which offer for sale nothing 
but bunches of matches and baskets of apples, or other 
articles of little value; the grass growing in the square 
opposite the court-house ; the muddy and ill-paved streets ; 
the rags in the windows or which cover hideous women, 
lean children, or pale, wan men, with deep eyes and sin- 
ister looks, making the observer very uncomfortable, — all 
proclaim misery, the reign of bad faith, and the influence 
of bad government. Most of the people live on fish. 
Newport seems to me like a tomb where living corpses 
dispute about a few roots." De Warville finished his lugu- 
brious description by writing: " In Newport there is no 
restraint, no religion, no morality, no law, no respected 
magistrates, no troop, but there are no thefts or murders, 
not even begging. The American does not beg or steal." 
At Meeting, however, the discontented Frenchman found 
" pretty women with inmaense bonnets fashionably made 
and weU dressed, which surprised me, for mitil then I had 
only seen hideous women and rags." This is a more agree- 
able report than the preceding one, for, in fact, M. de War- 
ville found only one thing he really lilted in Newport, and 
that was a cheese. For the most part he decrys everything 
during his trip in America, stating: " The people of Rhode 
Island are the most ignorant of all the Americans," and 
this in spite of the fact that he had been entertained at 
Vaucluse by Mr. Samuel Elam, where the library would do 
credit to any owner at the present day; and disgruntled 
M. de Warville concludes by declaring that the old colonial 
houses were " shabby, smaU, and vmpainted, with signs of 
decay over all." 

Redwood Library was founded by a number of public- 
spirited men of Newport in 1747, on land donated by Henry 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Collins, a generous citizen ; therefore it seems strange that 
his name was not coupled with that of Abraham Redwood, 
who gave money and books, as did the Jews Moses Lopez, 
Jacob Joseph Riviera, and Judah Touro ; but whatever the 
reason, the old Quaker's name, who was the first president 
of the Society, has been preserved as the title of one of the 
first libraries in the colonies. 

It appears that an impulse was given to study when 
Bishop Berkeley visited Newport in 1728, for a society that 
had been founded by Dr. Honyman, rector of Trinity, with 
some other educated men of the j)laee, became even more 
interesting after the worthy pastor joined it, as the mem- 
bers found it difficult to obtain the requisite books of 
reference. Dr. Berkeley circulated those he had imported 
for the edification and education of the poor Indians, which 
created further desires on the part of the members of the 
Philosophical Society, who determined on purchasing a 
library for their own use. For this purpose Abraham Red- 
wood donated £500, while a public subscription was started 
to raise fimds for a building, for which Peter Harrison 
submitted designs. He was an Englishman, who had 
studied under Vanburgh, and worked with the latter when 
that celebrated architect was building Blenheim Castle for 
the Duke of Marlborough. Harrison had drawn the plans 
for the Wanton house, synagogue, and many other build- 
ings in Newport. His Roman Doric fagade for the library 
was readily adopted, the corner-stone of which was laid on 
the site of the Bowling Green in 1747. Within two years 
the building was finished and thrown open to subscribers. 

The library has been enlarged at different times, and 
has many rare volumes on its shelves. Valuable donations 
have been presented, among them a collection of memoirs 
that are delicately bound, which are as valuable to a student 

316 



BACKWARD GLANCES 

of English liistory of the eighteenth and nineteenth cen- 
turies as any on the shelves. 

Thei'e are a number of paintings hung on the walls, 
together with many curiosities that have found a home here. 
Some of the former are interesting from historic associa- 
tion, or as si^ecimens of early American art. 

The first meeting of the Library Company after its in- 
corporation was held September, 1747, when the old Quaker 
Abraham Redwood was chosen president. The following 
year the Society received two thousand five hundred vol- 
umes from London, but there were no novels in the col- 
lection. The books were of a serious character, intended 
for the use of scholars or scientists, so most of the present 
generation look wdth awe at the musty volumes that have 
survived, but wuth no curiosity as to tlicir ()l)solete contents. 

Of course, there was much local jealousy with regard to 
the foundation of this interesting library, which " set out 
to be a Quaker affair," says the Rev. Dr. Styles, in his 
unpublished Diaiy, under the date of January 1(3, 1773. 
This diary is in Yale College, where it can be consulted. It 
continues: 

"Mr. Redwood being a Friend Ailviso<l (and) influ- 
enced by his B^ in Law Thos. Wai'd. l']s(i. a D.'istical Bap- 
tist; l)oth these GenI' really designed it s'"' be Catholic and 
witliout resi)ect of sects, thro the Ijlindncss of ^li-. Redwood 
and "Ward and Callender (the '2 last men of gi-eat Ijearning 
and Penetration) the Episcopalians slily got into it and 
obtained a Majority w^ they ai^e careful to keep. At first 
of 46 but 18 men were Episco. Since this they have become 
a Majority. But nobody observes it but the Founder. The 
Founder has often told me of it and said it was contrary 
to his Intention and that this was one reason of his refusing 
to sit in the Directors Meetings." 

317 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

This Eev. Ezra Styles was the pastor of the Second 
Congregational Church of Newport, who succeeded the Rev. 
James Searing after the latter 's death in 1755. So although 
Dr. Styles had not been one of the founders of the Library 
Association, by succeeding Dr. Searing he occupied an im- 
portant position, and was jealous to secure the principles 
laid down by his predecessor. While Newport was occupied 
by the British, Redwood Library suffered as much as every- 
thing else at their vandal hands. The valuable books were 
tossed recklessly about and many of them destroyed or 
stolen, which provoked a forcible remonstrance from the 
Tory citizens who had remained in the town, and their 
entreaties forced General Prescott to station a sentry at 
the library to prevent further destruction. This action 
betrays the lawlessness of the men imder the English gen- 
eral's command, for it should have been sufficient to issue 
a general order forbidding the injury of the library or other 
public buildings. Abraham Redwood lived until 1788, and 
it must have been a serious grief to him to see his valuable 
gifts stolen, destroyed, or scattered, but he made no attempt 
to restock and open the library after the war. 

It was not until 1810 that any interest was taken in the 
library, but fortunately at that time James Ogilvie visited 
the town, where he became at once concerned by the neg- 
lected state of building and books. He proposed that a 
subscription should be opened for the purchase of the latter 
and repair of their home, and in hopes of exciting attention 
to the subject, he delivered a course of lectures on literature, 
the proceeds of which were donated as his contribution 
toward these expenses. At the same time the Hon. William 
Hunter, one of the most prominent men of the place, who 
was devoted to science and art, used his personal interest 
to incite his fellow-townsmen to join the library and take 

318 



BACKWARD GLANCKS 

an active jDart iu raising money for the purchase of books. 
In this he had little success. A few books were procured, 
but the library was not well patronized. Mr. Hunter, how- 
ever, induced many of his personal friends to contribute to 
its support, and was so energetic that he wrote to many who 
had moved away from their native town. In answer to this 
appeal, in 1813 Solomon Southwick, residing in Albany, 
but a native-born Newporter, presented one hundred and 
twenty acres of land in the State of New York to the 
Redwood foundation, and when this was sold and the 
proceeds invested it provided a small income for the pur- 
chase of books, that were marked with an " Ex Lihris'^ 
bearing Mr. Southwick 's name. There have been many 
other valuable donations and legacies, notably one made 
by his Majesty George IV., who graciously endeavored in 
this way to repair some of the damages done by his father's 
troops. Baron Hottiuguer, of Paris, Mr. James Kennedy, 
Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, and other book-lovers have gen- 
eroiisly aided by gifts of money or by bequests. 

Redwood Library has now become an important New- 
port society, to which its citizens point with pride, although 
it has many petty and constantly changing regulations that 
annoy subscribers, that coidd be easily revised by an active 
committee, when it would probably be better patronized. 
Between 1812 and 1855 it had few visitors. At one time 
the lil))'arian comi)laiiied that he and General Winfield 
Scott were its only patrons, but at that date an effort was 
made to induce readers to visit the rooms and take an in- 
terest in its welfare. Before 1855 the building was opened 
twice a week, when only members could obtain books. It 
was then determined to invite annual subscriptions, but 
this policy was denounced as suicidal by the conservative 
members, and matters stagnated until a young and cner- 

319 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

getic person succeeded in having new directors elected, who 
arranged for opening the library daily after ten thousand 
dollars had been raised to meet extra expenses. 

At this time there were not eight thousand volmnes in 
the racks, although in earlier days the Redwood had rivalled 
Harvard's library. It was not until 1858 that the managers 
were able to raise the money for enlarging the building, 
furnishing it properly, and laying out the grounds, pro- 
viding new books, and establishing a librarian. Visitors 
and yearly subscriptions were now welcomed, and extra 
shares were purchased and presented to the library for the 
use of the rectors of various churches, the teachers and 
certain scholars of the public schools, etc., so the library 
is now fairly well patronized. 

The Society for the Promotion of Knowledge and 
Virtue, that was the parent of the Eedwood Library, was 
founded l:)y eight well-known citizens, among them being 
Henry Collins, James Honyman, Jr., Rev. James Searing, 
Judge Edward Scott, Jeremy Coudy, and Nathan Town- 
send. The Society met every Monday morning to discuss 
questions in divinity, morality, philosophy, history, etc. 
Bishop Berkeley was an active member, who gave impetus 
to the studies dear to his mind. One that was made a 
matter of research bj^ the society was the effects of tar- 
water and its results in curing the gout. The Bishop's 
treatise on this is extremely amusing. 

Besides the endowed library, there were two circulating 
libraries in Newport at the end of the eighteenth century, 
one of which was kept by Joseph Todd and the other by 
Jacob Richardson. Their rooms were the rendezvous of 
the young people of the town, and were well patronized. In 
later days James Hammond kept a small circulating library, 
and at the present day the Free Lilu-ary is well attended. 




WOMEN OF NEWPORT 



ONG years before the white men 
settled on Aquidneck, which they 
renamed Ehode Island, the Wil- 
(len, as the Dutch called the peo- 
ple they found in North America, 
•Vi^-f^^^^ had prosperous settlements on dif- 
1^^i^C-li<)^s*c^il%f^ ferent parts of it. One fort was 
^''' ■ " ' on what is now called Tomony, or 

iMiantonomi, Hill, another at Pocasset, on the northern ex- 
tremity of the island. But the branch of the family living 
on the ocean side of the Isle of Peace was the richest in 
the land, just as the riparian owners in Newport are to-day, 
for the wealth of the savages was the shells and the seaweed 
that strewed the beaches, for the latter fertilized their fields 
while the blue part of the quahaugs made their seawan, 
and the pointed end of the periwinkle the wampum, that 
was the money of the North American Indians, and passed 
current through all the inland tribes. 

Apparently the Wilden living on the borders of Narra- 
gansett Bay had a certain amoimt of civilization, although 
little is remembered of their primitive arts and crafts. 
They were skilful fishermen and hunters, and although war- 
like when forced to protect their rights, they preferred 
peace to war. In particular, they (imlike most savage 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

races) permitted their women to talce part in the tribal 
government, who sometunes inherited the position of chief, 
ruling the clan with wisdom, courage, and discrimination. 
One of the most celebrated of these savage queens was called 
Namumpum. She was the wife of Wamsutta, an Indian 
chief generally called Alexander in the colonial records. 
Namumpum was a woman of strong, domineering charac- 
ter, that was under restraint during the life of her father- 
in-law, Massasoit, for she dared not assert herself. But 
when the great chief of the Wampanoags died, in 1660, and 
Wamsutta, who was the eldest son, succeeded his father, 
the character of the young squaw began to display itself. 
Barely, however, had her husband become sachem when he 
was charged by the rulers of the Massachusetts Colony with 
combining with the Narragansett tribe to conspire against 
the settlers of Plymouth. 

Wamsutta 's chief residence was at Mt. Hope, where he 
was visited by an armed force from Massachusetts, com- 
manded by Major Josiah Winslow, who, after parleying 
with the tribe for several days, ended by carrying off Wam- 
sutta by force. The captive was confined in Major Wins- 
low's house, where he received little care or consideration. 
Rage, chagrin, and mortification struggled in the breast of 
the wild man at this imprisonment, which soon culminated 
in a serious illness, that alarmed his captors, who, in dread 
of his dying on their hands, enlarged Wamsutta, permitting 
him to return to Mt. Hope, where he died immediately on 
his arrival. Namumpum was beside herself with grief, and 
accused the English of poisoning her husband, but was 
impotent against the stronger authority, particularly as the 
chieftainship of the tribe passed immediately on the death 
of her husband to Meatacom, who is better known as the 
celebrated King Philip, who was at the time barely twenty- 



WOMEN OF NEWPORT 

two years of age. It was inevitable that friction sliould 
occur between the peculiar characters who ruled the Ply- 
mouth Colony and the red men, so by June, 1675, open hos- 
tilities had begim. 

Namumpimi, although deprived of her position as squaw 
consort of the "Wanipanoags, was in her own right squaw 
sachem, or queen of the family of Indians who lived on 
Aquidneck, the capitol or chief village of this branch of the 
tribe being at Pocasset. Here this gi-eat chieftaincss lived, 
nursing her vengeance against the white men who had in- 
vaded the lands of her forefathers and murdered her hus- 
band. Following the custom of her people, the uncouth 
name by which she had been knowai during Wamsutta's 
life was changed, and as sf|uaw sachem she Avas called 
"Weetamoe, retaining this name even after a second mar- 
riage with Xmnmit, a l)rave of her tribe called Peter by 
the white men. 

There must be something in the air of Aquidneck that 
excites its inhabitants to excel in adorning themselves in 
the hopes of enhancing their beauty. All the records since 
they have been kept point to this having been the case, for 
the love of dress for which this great chieftaincss was noted 
is among the archives of the colony, and the women of each 
decade following this early period have imitated her. 

Mrs. Rowlandson, one of the white women of the 
nearby settlements, was caiitufc'd l)y flic Indians and lived 
among them for some time. She left a narrative of lier 
experiences, and on page 63 states of Queen Weetamoe: 
" A severe and proud dame she was; bestowing every day 
in dressing herself near as iimdi iinic as any of the gentry 
of the land, powdei-ing liei' bail- and ]>ainting her face, 
going with her necklaces, with jewels in her ears, — brace- 
lets upon lier hands." 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

In one way the great lady of the year 1675 differed from 
those of two hundred years later, inasmuch as she was ex- 
tremely industrious, for the narrative goes on to remark: 
" When she had dressed herself, her work was to make 
girdles of wampum and beads." 

Namumpum Weetamoe was also a famous dancer, in 
which accomplishment she rivalled Squaw Sachem Awas- 
honks, who governed the Indian family living on the 
western banks of Seaconnet River. 

The first of the grand entertainments for which Aquid- 
neck has since become famous was given by Awashonks to 
her tribe and neighbors in June, 1675, in honor of six war- 
riors who were sent as ambassadors by the head of the whole 
tribe, Meatacom, or King Philip. The costume of these 
warriors has been carefully described. Their hair was 
dressed in a novel and unwonted style, their faces and bodies 
were smeared with red paint, and their plumes and breech- 
clouts were of peculiar fashion. 

Benjamin Church, of Duxberry, had settled on land 
belonging to Awashonks 's family, so he was invited to the 
levee, and has left a slight sketch of the festivities, in which 
he describes Queen Awashonks as leading the dance so ener- 
getically that " she was in a foaming sweat." This account 
of one of the first Rhode Island balls is too short, but per- 
haps the white settler was terrified at what he saw, for 
instead of its being a fashionable entertainment for the 
amusement of guests, it was in reality a " war-dance," 
which preceded the breaking out of hostilities between the 
wild men and the white settlers. The latter tried to appease 
their foes by proposing arbitration, but the wild men were 
chary of accepting this arrangement when they discovered 
that only Englishmen would be invited to sit on the com- 
mittee, who were to be selected by the governor of the Mas- 

324 



WOMEN OF NEWPORT 

sachusetts Colony; therefore, believing the arbitration 
would be against the interests of the non-represented tribe, 
it declared war. 

On June 24 Meatacom (King Philip), wearing " a Coat 
and Buskins thick set with beads in a pleasant Wild Works 
and a broad Belt of the same," fell on the white settlers of 
Pocasset and burnt all the houses, after which he stuck the 
heads of the murdered Englishmen on poles, as ghastly 
memorials of the raid, which he planted on the edge of the 
bay, and then at the head of his band of warriors, accom- 
panied by the Squaw Sachem Namumpum Weetamoe lead- 
ing the braves of her tribe, they escaped across the river. 

This was the beginning of the great war that was to 
carry such havoc and desolation among the English settlers. 
It lasted until another sachem chief tainess called Quaiapen, 
the " old queen" who had valiantly led her men against the 
Connecticut troops, was killed on the 25th of July. 

Despairing of driving out the English, who with supe- 
rior weapons and skill had conquered the other tribes, the 
Squaw Sachem Awashonks sued for peace and retired to 
Tampe Swamp. The English determined to conciliate this 
brave chief tainess, so commissioned Benjamin Church and 
Daniel W^ilcocks to volunteer a visit to Squaw Awashonks. 
The sachem received her visitors graciously, but took the 
precaution of surrounding her person with armed warriors. 
Church presented the Indians with tobacco and rum, so 
after a few hours, during which they feasted, smoked, and 
drank, the savages became more friendly. A grand feast 
was prepared, at the conclusion of which the sachem, the 
elders of the tribe, and the English ambassadors had a 
pow-wow, that ended by the white men persuading the 
Indians that j)eaee was desirable, when Squaw Awashonks 
agreed, in the name of her ])cople, to leave the foreigners 

325 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

unmolested, on condition that they respected her fishing 
and hunting privileges, rights of property, government, etc. 

The Squaw Sachem Namumpiun Weetamoe retired to 
Aquidneck after the whites fled, but she saw her power 
gradually taken away from her after the death of her 
brother-in-law, King Philip, who had been her chief pro- 
tector. Her tribe family living at Pocasset dwindled in 
mmibers and power, her second husband, Nunnuit, died an 
imtimely death, so, unwilling to have the responsibility of 
ruling the tribe by herself, Namumpum Weetamoe married 
for the third time, when she selected a young brave called 
Quinnapin to share her woodland throne. The third prince 
consort was captured by the white men, who condemned 
him to death August 24, 1676, with five other warriors, at a 
court held at Newport by Roger Williams, Arthur Fenner, 
and Randall Holden. These men declared the savages were 
" murderous Indians," but the governor, Walter Clarke, 
disapproved of the trial and sentence, in consequence of 
which he would not attend the sitting of the court, whose 
rulings were abhorrent to his nature. The unfortunate 
queen of Pocasset tried to escape from her foes, but in 
doing so was drowned in Taunton River by the upsetting 
of the raft on which she was being ferried across. She had 
hoped to rouse her friends on the main-land to rally to the 
rescue of Quinnapin before his life fell a sacrifice to the 
white men, but her untimely fate left him without protec- 
tion, while her tribe, being deprived of its sachem, grad- 
ually lost its identity, to become absorbed among the white 
settlers. Nevertheless, descendants of these wild men live 
on Aquidneck at the present time. 

What would Newport be without its women ? From the 
earliest historic period, when the squaw sachems ruled, to 
the present day a large portion of public interest is centred 



WOMKN OF NEWPORT 

in the female part of the population. They did their share 
in braving suffering and peril when the hardy settlers 
planted their tiny homes aroimd the town spring or clus- 
tered about the site where the city hall now stands. And 
why were the first homes planted just there? For the 
simple i-eason that the women wished to be close to the 
spring of bu])bling water, so it would be convenient for them 
when requii-ed for the household tasks. 

The faithful women who willingly left their homes to 
share the exile of their husbands, to purchase by self-sacri- 
fice the freedom to worshij) God, were true, brave-hearted 
helpmates. They were not only Quakers, Baptists, Metho- 
dists, but Hebrew matrons who left luxurious firesides in 
Spain and Portugal rather than give up their religion, 
taking up their new lives in a rigorous climate, with no 
comforts, friends, or relatives save those they carried with 
them, bearing their trials bravely and with the uncomplain- 
ing courage for which women of that stamp are noted. 

The first Newj^ort heroine who is mentioned in history 
was Mary, wife of that William Dyer who held many im- 
portant offices in the colony, among them that of Secretary 
of the Province of Rhode Island and Providence Planta- 
tions. Mary Dyer was a sunple-minded Friend, but she 
was strong in her belief that the English Church had become 
corrupt and its clergy lax in the performance of their duties, 
which was the text preached by the Friends who considered 
themselves members of the Church of England while they 
had nothing in conunon with the non-conformists in the 
Massachusetts Colony. The fate of Mary Dyer was tragic. 
She persisted in expounding and preachmg in the colony, 
although repeatedly ordered to desist, so for violating the 
commands of the magistrates she was imprisoned, and then 
hanged on IJoston Conniion for loyalty to lici' faith, after 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

which her broken-hearted husband retired to Newport, 
where he died. When Governor Endicott pronounced sen- 
tence of death on the sweet-voiced Quaker, she spolie out 
loudly, saying, " Yea! joyfully shall I go." As her body 
himg on the gallows, swaying in the wind, one of the magis- 
trates, named Hiunphrey Atherton, pointed at it with scorn, 
saying, " She flies like a flag," but on September 17, 1661, 
a little over a year afterwards, Atherton, when exercising 
with the train-band, was thrown from his horse at this spot 
and instantly killed. At the time it was declared that horse 
and rider had seen the ghost of Mary Dyer, which caused 
the former to swerve suddenly aside, throwing his master 
on his head. Henry W. Longfellow has immortalized the 
whole cruel scene in " John Endicott," where Bellingham 
says,— 

" His horse took fright and threw him to the ground 
So that his brains were dashed about the street. 

Endicott: 

I am not superstitious, Bellingham, 
And yet I tremble lest it may have been 
A judgment on him. 

Bellingham: 

So the people think. ' ' 

And again, — 

" Endicott: 

I stood beneath the elm-tree on the common 

On which the Quakers have been hanged, and heard 

A voice, not hers, that cried amid the darlcness. 

This is Assedama, the field of blood ! 

I will have mercy and not sacrifice ! ' ' 

The lives and heroism of women are for the most part 
an unwritten history, that may be likened to the canvas 
upon which men have painted their own deeds in glowing 
tints, completely covering the material. Yet the painting 




CI. IKK WALK, ItRIDGE AT ROUCH I'On 



E^^BE^^H^- 








^gm 


1 


• ' ' >"•'■■-'*' 


m ^^^B 


^1 




^BBSLiii 


9 


1 


wM^ 


.■.'^.■ 


A 


^^^^B^^s^'^Mi' 




.■ ■ U' 


Bpj^MM^p<,.-j, 




::':L 


iPI 


i*l>t9^P 



WOMKN OF NEWPORT 

would be ruined and worthless should anything injure the 
fabric that is humbly contented to hold and display the 
self -glorified actions of the male sex. Therefore little is 
ever said of the part women bear in the making of history. 
The church records of Newport are filled with aceoimts of 
sums given by the male members, and it is only occasionally 
that a woman receives her due, but it is not difficiilt to dis- 
cover that the erection of many of the religious edifices in 
Ne\\'port was owing to the generosity of the women of the 
congregation far more than to the men. There are other 
mute registers that tell of woman's influence in the little 
town, besides which there are the ledgers of the old mer- 
chants, which contain pages of the " ventures," as they 
were called, sent by the women of Newport on the ships 
sailmg from the harbor. The earnings of the poultry-yard, 
the loom, and the spinning-wheel were invested in the car- 
goes of outward-bound vessels, often bringing back a rich 
harvest. Owing to this custom, certain women of the to\vn 
became rich in their own right, and their views on invest- 
ments were received with respect. Widows frequently 
inidertook to carry on a business left by their husbands, 
which they did successfully, while there were many indus- 
tries in the town carried on by women workers alone. 

To this commercial spirit among Newport's women was 
due the survival of one of the oldest newspapers in America, 
the Neivport Mercury, the history of which is interesting. 
The first number was printed June 19, 1758, and has con- 
tinued in existence from that date until the present, except 
during the British occupation, when the founts and press 
were concealed, while the printers left the town. If it had 
not been for this lapse in its appearance, or what might be 
called an attack of scarlet fever, the Newport Mercury 
would Ijc the longest-lived newspaper in the United States. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

According to Benjamin Franklin's Memoirs, his father 
was a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler, and Benjamin, the 
yonngest son, was employed at ten years of age cutting 
wicks and filling moulds for cast candles. The eldest son, 
John, was bred to his father's business. He married and 
moved to Newport in 1717, which was at that date the centre 
of the spermaceti and candle-making business of the coun- 
try, owing to the secrets imported by the Jews from 
Portugal. 

Another brother of Benjamin, James Franklin, was a 
printer in Boston, to whom the restless little Benjamin was 
api^renticed. They published, in 1721, the New England 
Courant, with " press and letters," says Benjamin, brought 
from England by James. The early numbers of the Courant 
contain letters from and allusions to Newj)ort, showing that 
a constant communication was kept up between John and 
his brother James. 

In 1724 Benjamin writes: " Sailed from Boston, the 
sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island. I visited my 
brother John, who had been married and settled there some 
years. He received me very affectionately, for he always 
loved me. A friend of his, one Vernon, having some money 
due him in Pennsylvania (about thirty -five pounds cur- 
rency), desired I would receive it for him and keep it till 
I had his directions what to employ it in. Accordingly he 
gave me an order to receive it. This business afterwards 
occasioned me a good deal of vmeasiness. At Newport we 
took in a number of passengers, amongst which were two 
yoimg women travelling together and a sensible, matron- 
like quaker lady with her two servants. . . . After ten 
years absence (1734) I called at New^port to see my brother 
James, then settled there with his printing house. . . . He 
was fast declining in health and requested me that, in case 

330 



WOMEN OF NEWPORT 

of his (loath, 1 would take home his son, then but 10 years 
of age, and bring hiin up to the printing business. This I 
accordingly performed. . . . llis mother carried on the 
business till he was grown up, when I assisted him with an 
assortment of new types, those of his father being in a 
manner worn t)ut." 

The lirst newspaper published in Newport was issued in 
1732, by James Franklin. Its size was that of an ordinary 
letter sheet. Soon after the visit from his brother Ben- 
jamin the editor of the Newport paper died, on the 14tli of 
February, 1734-35. His widow was an able, energetic 
woman, who not only carried it on, but the imprint ' ' Widow 
Franklin" may be foimd on many of the early publications 
in Newport. On the 12th of June, 1758, James Franklin, 
her son, joined his mother Ann in publishing the first num- 
ber of the Newport Mercury, that is still issued, being one 
of the oldest newspapers in the country. But tiring of this 
occupation, on the death of his mother, about 1762, James 
Franklin disposed of the paper to his brother-in-law, Sam- 
uel Hall, a printer, who sold the plant and good will to 
Solomon Southwick. The press on which Benjamin and 
James Franklin worked was brought from Boston by the 
latter, and was preserved in the office of the Mercury for 
many years. It was deposited in the hall of the Mechanics' 
Association of Boston. 

There was evidently frequent and constant communica- 
tion between John Franklin, after his arrival in Newport, 
and his brother James, who remained, as has been said, for 
several years in Boston, foi- in all the early issues of the 
newspapers of that city there are constant letters from 
Rhode Island, one of which says, " The Newport women 
in particular were noted for their industry, and one maiiicd 
woman with her daughter ai'e said to have spun between 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

the first of March and the first of May full sixty yards of 
good fine linen cloth nearly a yard wide, besides attending 
to their various household duties." It was the industry 
of the women that rendered the colonies independent of 
imported goods. 

The Newport gloves were also a noted industry of early 
days. These were made in a small factory at the Point. 
They were cut from sheepskin, and were generally dyed 
with indigo a bright blue. These gloves were exported to 
all parts of the colony, and those of soft white leather 
commanded a high price. 

There was a spinning-wheel in every house, as well as 
looms for carpet-weaving or making soft homespun cloth. 
The product of the wheels was the spending money of the 
women. Itinerant weavers went from house to house to 
work the heavy looms, the thread for which had been carded 
and spun beforehand. Mrs. Channing, the daughter of 
William Ellery, signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
had a loom for weaving silk braid, and in spite of her large 
family, educated almost entirely by herself, she acquired 
great proficiency in this work. 

Russian duck was one of the products of Newport during 
the colonial period, which was highly prized on account of 
its excellent quality. 

There were other martyred women of Newport besides 
Mary Dyer, who was not the only one who suffered for her 
faith. In 1G58 a young matron named Herod (Herodias) 
Gardner journeyed to the Massachusetts Colony to " bear 
testimony," although she had been warned that she did it 
at the peril of her life and was aware that any female 
Quaker returning to that colony after having once been im- 
prisoned and then banished ran the risk of being scourged 
and put in jail or having her tongue bored through with a 



WOMEN OF NFAVPORT 

hot iron, according to tire laws passed in lG.j() and aj^ain 
October 14, 1657. With the strange fanaticism of tlie day, 
Mrs. Gardner walked intrepidly to meet her fate. She car- 
i-ied with her an infant child, but its youth did not soften 
the implacable hearts of her enemies, for it is said that 
" falling into the merciful hands of Endicott, she was 
scourged on the naked body with ten lashes." Some of her 
co-religionists were moved by the spirit to cast off all their 
garments and walk naked through the streets of Boston, 
but their punishment was swift and unmerciful. 

There were many other heroines among the women of 
Ne\\i5ort, but they fortunately adopted different methods 
and tactics, so escaped persecution and settled down to 
unromantic lives of devotion in the little town. 

In January, 1768, the women of Newport determined to 
support the non-importation agreement by denying them- 
selves all luxuries, following the example of their friends 
and relations in New York, a description of which is given 
by a descendant of Governor William Livingston. They 
therefore called a meeting, when " it was resolved that those 
who could spin ought to be employed in that way, and those 
who coidd not should reel. When the time came for drink- 
ing tea, Bohea and Hyperion were provided, and every one 
of the ladies judiciously rejected the poisonous Bohea, and 
unanimously, to their very great honor, preferred the bal- 
samic Hyperion, which Avas of domestic manufacture and 
was the dried leaves of the raspberry plant." 

The ladies of New York had a brew they deemed more 
delicious than the leaves of the raspberry, for they made 
their drink from wild strawberry leaves, and the memoirs 
of the day mention their heroic devotion to this domestic 
brew. Mr. G. P. ^lorris, in a parody of Yankee Doodle, 
writes : 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

' ' A long war then they had, in which John was at last defeated, 
And Yankee Doodle was the march to which his troops retreated. 
Cute Jonathan, to see them Hy, could not restrain his laughter, 
' That tune, ' said he, ' suits to a T. I '11 sing it ever after. ' 
"We kept the tune, but not the tea, Yankee Doodle Dandy." 

During the war with England the women of Newport 
showed their courage, their determination, and their wit. 
Some took one side, some took the other, while the Friends 
tried to be neutral. There were violent members of both 
parties, and many strange adventures are credited to the 
energetic young women, who sometimes acted as spies, often 
nursed the wounded, or concealed and aided refugees. 

One family remained almost continuously in their New- 
port home. This was Thomas Robinson, a Quaker, but a 
violent Tory. He had married a daughter of Newport 
called Sarah Richardson, by whom he had a large mmiber 
of children. Many were the deeds of kindness done by this 
noble-hearted woman. She received into her house the 
fugitive Dr. Moffat, whose writings against the colonies 
had made him unpopular in Boston, and helped to restore 
him to his friends on the British fleet. Dr. Moffat, with 
two other men, were stamp masters. Their papers were 
seized and burned, while their effigies were carted through 
the streets and then hanged. 

She was an intellectual woman, who educated herself 
and her daughters, so they were not only well read in the 
literature of the day, but able to speak French fluently. 
The British officers gladly quartered themselves in Mrs. 
Robinson's comfortable house, which became the rendez- 
vous of all the young people. Mary, Abby, and Amy 
Robinson were particularly attractive girls, and several 
of the young Englishmen courted them. But Mrs. Robin- 
son, being a woman of great determination of character, 

334 



WOMF.N OF NKWl»ORT 

and liaviug no desire to see lier daughters marry foreign- 
ers, soon put a stop to the courting by sending her daugh- 
ters to live with some relatives in Karragansett, greatly 
to tlie surprise of the officers, who thought they had but 
to " see and conquer." After the war all the daughters 
married Americans and settled down contentedly in the 
emancipated country of their birth. 

After the British evacuated Newport and the French 
succeeded them, Comte de Noailles made Mrs. Rol)inson's 
house his head-quarters. It was close to Fort Greene, over- 
looking the harbor, and as it had been deserted by the 
family it was a convenient home for the large staff of the 
Comte. The gay French officers made Newport so attractive 
that the refugee women were induced to return, upon which 
Mrs. Robinson and her daughters again took up their abode 
in their own house. The girls improved the opportunity 
by taking French lessons from the Comte, who, being a 
married man and by no means young, was permitted by 
Mrs. Robinson to be on intimate terms with her children. 
Mme. de Xoaillcs became greatly interested in the ac- 
coimts of this charming family sent her by her husband; 
therefore, in order to requite it for its hospitality, she 
sent to Mrs. Robinson a magnificent set of Se\Tes tea- 
cups, that are still shown with ])rid(' l)y her descendants. 

Nor was Mrs. Robinson the only ])rudent matron and 
mother in Newport. Mrs. Rotch, born Rodman, a descend- 
ant of Oovcrnnr AVanton. also lived on Washington Street, 
and was blessed with many (lani,dil('i's. Iler linsl);iiid was 
one of the famous rich men of New Hedfoi-d. who joined 
with those of Newport in creating the first Anieiican trust. 
As soon as Mrs. Rotch discovered that the young English 
officers were " paying their addresses" to her daughters, 
she sent them away from home, and they remained in deep 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

seclusion in the country until peace was declared, after 
which they all married Americans. Mary Eotch married, 
first, Mr. Henning, and then George P. Anson. Her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Hare, was the mother of Mrs. George McClellan, 
president of Chapter II., Colonial Dames of America. 

Mrs. William Rotch's great-granddaughter married 
Captain Charles Himter, of Newport. Their charming 
daughters, Mrs. Thomas Dunn, Mrs. Glyn, and Miss Anna 
Hmiter, are the bulwarks of Newport society to-day. The 
latter is noted for her artistic talents and for her energy 
in charitable work. She carries brightness and pleasure 
into many a sick-room or poor home by the sensible organ- 
ization that she founded for carrying flowers raised by a 
girls' guild to the sick and humble. The teachings of the 
early women of Newport indeed live after them. 

Since the middle of the eighteenth century Newport has 
never been without a Mrs. Hunter. The representative 
holding the title to-day is one of the most honored in the 
town. Her daughter-in-law and son promise to fuMl all 
that has been done by the family in the past for the ancient 
city their forefathers helped to build. 

In early days in many of the colonies, although the 
busy housewives were well able to afford to pay for ser- 
vants, they could hire no one among the independent set- 
tlers around them, and w^ere entirely dependent on ignorant 
slaves for household services. An arrangement was there- 
fore made to induce the emigration of white people by 
paying their passage to the new country, after which the 
importers were repaid by the services of the emigrants. 
Sea-captains frequently brought passengers who " sold 
their time" to pay for the voyage. 

The history of one young woman who came to America 
is weU kno\\Ta. She was a North Briton, who entered a 



WOMI'.N OF NF.WPORT 

family in Newport as a " Eedemptionist, " as it was called. 
She was a well-educated, comely girl, who was a valued if 
humble member of the household for many years. After she 
had " served her time" she married a well-to-do ship-chand- 
ler, going with him to live in New York. But she was never 
above her station, or forgot the children she had helped to 
raise, and to her dying day sent them handsome presents 
at Christmas or other holidays, and her memory is honored 
in the family to-day. 

There was another and less estimable character l\y the 
name of Sarah Wilson, who visited Newport. She had been 
transported for stealing from the Queen of England, and 
after she had served her time in the colonies she went about 
the coimtry masquerading as a Princess of Germany, the 
sister of the queen. In this guise she imposed on many 
credulous people, and receiving much civility from persons 
who had not investigated her antecedents. She was, how- 
ever, finally detected and exposed, much to the mortification 
of the people who had been boasting of their fricudship 
with royalty. 

During the war the State-House was used in turn by the 
British, French, and Americans as a hospital, and on the 
women of Newport fell the duties of caring for the sick or 
wounded. There was no organized corps of nurses, but the 
memory of these devoted women lived long in the minds of 
the soldiers who were benefited by their sympathy and 
kindness. 

The women were by no means, however, al)Ove a love of 
fashion or gossip, as is proved by a letter from a young wife 
to her husband, who was a member of Congress in Philadel- 
phia, that has survived the ravages of time. Among other 
things she says, — 

" Do recollect to get me two dozen of small punch tum- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

biers, as it will be quite too early in the season for fashions. 
I had rather wait until the spring ships arrive before I pur- 
chase me a Hat or a Bonnet. I have this morning been told 
that Abraham Redwood has seriously offered himself to 
Miss Burr, of New York, and has lieen as seriously refused, 
that she is engaged to Mr. Alston, of Charleston." 

In fact, the lively Theodosia Burr, who had been spend- 
ing the sunmier in Newport, where she met Mr. Alston, 
married him, according to the notice put in the daily papers : 

" At Albany on the 2d of February, 1801, by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, 
Joseph Alston, of S. C, to Miss Theodosia Burr, only child of Aaron 
Burr. ' ' 

Inhabitants of Newport remember the witty Mrs. Law- 
rence, who lived in a quaint little house in Catherine Street, 
afterwards occupied by her beautiful granddaughter, Mary 
Griffin, Mrs. William Redmond. Mrs. Lawrence was a 
heroine with an unwritten history. She had given her hus- 
band to his country, and his death while a young man left 
her a sorrowing widow. It was of him that it was written : 

" As the hero still stands to his post on the deck, 
When the balls of the foemen have left him a wreck, 
And the flag's tattered remnants are shot from the mast 
' Don 't give up the ship ' is his cry to the last. ' ' 

Before the battle of Lake Erie Captain Oliver Hazard 
Perry had employed the Newport men under him in prepar- 
ing the rude lake craft to be used as war-vessels. One of 
them was named the " Lawrence," after the gallant captain 
whose heroic words on his death-bed were still ringing in the 
ears of his countrymen. Just before the battle Perry went 
among the crew speaking to each one. Then springing on a 
gmi-slide, he addressed them: " My brave lads," he said, 
at the same time dramatically unfurling a long strip of 



WOMEN OF NKWl'ORT 

bunting, on which was stitched a sentence roughly cut from 
wliite linen, " this flag displays the last words of Cai^taiu 
Tjawreuce. Shall I hoist it up "? ' ' And to the surprise of the 
crew they saw the sentence, " Don't give up the ship." 
''Ay, ay. sii-!" ilic crew cried, as one man, and the crude 
emblem was run up to the main-royal-mast-head of the 
" Lawrence" as she entered on lier eiigagenieiit with the 
"Queen Cai'oliiie." This flag was in possession of the 
family, and was e.\]ii))ited at the Sanitary Fair held in New 
y.)ik dui'iiig the Civil AVar for tlie iMMiefit of tlie soldiers' 
hospitals, and is now in the inuseimi ai Annapolis. 






tir^f;;.; 



^ -S^»f 



'^^^^^ 



^.^&;^ 



Greysrurve 
JoKnJ.Wyso.^$,E6q. 




SLA\ K-SHIPS, PIRATKS, AND PRIVATEERS- 
MKN 

HERE were two factors in the 
early stages of the settlement of 
Newport that materially helped 
its prosperity, both of them owing 
to the progressive views of the 
men of the place. Tlie principal one was the tolerance of 
religious liberty; the other was enslaving the innocent 
negroes who, captured on the shores of Africa, were sold 
into bondage to the very meu who demanded freedom for 
themselves. 

These good men, however, engaged in the nefarious 
trade with the specious excuse that they were serving God, 
since each negro had a soul to save, and by bringing them 
under the direct influence of their own pious minds there 
was a chance of salvation for the slave he never could have 
if left in his native freedom. Under whatever pretext this 
trade was carried on, it is certain it was most profitable to 
the owners of the ships plying between Africa and Rhode 
Island. The families of Newport purchased many of these 
savages, and in most instances converted them by kindness 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

and good treatment into humble and devoted friends. 
Besides these trustworthy servants, who were in truth 
taught to be pious, God-serving people, there were men 
who by their talents or exertions bought their own freedom 
with that of their families, and the descendants of these 
are honored citizens of Newport to-day. One of them is 
a noted physician, another a celebrated preacher, a third 
a representative of the govermnent in a foreign court. 

There were many droll characters to be found in the 
alien race who are still remembered in Newport. One of 
them was a cook named Cuffy Cockroach. He lived with 
Jaheel Brentou, first at Cherry Neck, and after the death 
of Governor Brenton, at the family estate of Hammer- 
smith. Cuffy was imrivalled when preparing a great din- 
ner, but excelled particularly m making turtle soup. After 
earning his freedom he occupied the position of Newport's 
first caterer, and although he has had many noteworthy 
successors, he was the foimder of the craft in Newport. 
He organized the picnic parties that took place on Rose, 
Goat, or one of the many islands in the harbor. After the 
clam chowder or turtle soup had been served, Cuffy would 
bring out his fiddle and treat his young patrons to an 
impromptu dance. 

Mrs. Stowe, in her novel on Newport, draws a faithful 
sketch of an old negress she took from life, in whieli the 
authoress showed the strong contrast between the condition 
of the slaves in New England and those in Virginia. 

The slaves of Rhode Island were emancipated in 1784, 
but they seldom left their owners, remaining to give loyal 
service during their lives, expecting in return a good home 
in their old age and after death a corner in the house lot 
that on every farm was reserved as a family burying- 
gromid. The colored population of the twentieth century 



SLAVE-SHIPS, PIRATES, AND PRIVATEERSMEN 

is a strong factor, and for the most part a very respectable 
portion of the inhabitants of Newport. The negroes have 
their clubs, their societies, and their churches, but although 
rather apart from the mass of the populace, they are an 
integral part of it, conmianding a certain respect accorded 
to their race in no other part of the country. Unluckily 
for this portion of the comniTinity, there has been an influx 
of their race from the Southern States who, not having 
had the education of two centuries, have by their low 
standards altered the position of those descended from 
generations of respectable citizens, wlio have midou])tedly 
suffered in consequence. 

Schools for the education of colored children were 
established as early as 1773 in Newport. The first one was 
kept by the wife of Dr. John Brett, on High Street, and 
to her able management of the yomigsters under her care 
the colored people owe a great deal. 

Many of the colored people became Baptists or Meth- 
odists, but the slaves of Joseph Jacobs, a rich old Friend, 
alwaj's wore the plain garb of their master. This gentle- 
man was regarded as a man of great scientific acquirements, 
because he o\\aied the only thermometer in Newport before 
the Revolution. 

Among noteworthy characters was a slave called New- 
port Gardner, owned by Caleb Gardner. Newport had been 
brutally torn from parents and country when only foui'- 
teen. He was a clever lad, who taught himself to read, 
and, having a clear, strong voice, devoted himself to sing- 
ing sacred nuisic. He learned to read and write nuisic 
with ease, and, besides composing, gave singing lessons in 
his house on High Street. He was a member of Dr. Hop- 
kins's Church, and after the death of that worthy but 
erratic minister (tlie hero of Mrs. Stowe's novel), Newport 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

orgauized the colored union church and society now known 
as the Union Congregational Church, in Division Street, 
that was for many years presided over by the Rev. Mahlon 
Van Home, a graduate of Princeton. 

Caleb Gardner overheard his slave praying to God for 
freedom, so generously manumitted Newport, with his 
whole family, who returned to Africa, only to die at once 
after reaching their native land. 

For years the only undertaker in Newport was a negro, 
whose jDompous conduct at a funeral was inimitable. It is 
still customary in the city for all the males of friends or 
family to walk in procession two by two from the house 
or church to the graveyard, headed by the undertaker. 
Mintus, one of these officials, enjoyed his importance on 
these occasions, for which he clad himself in most grotesque 
garments. The ceremony with which he presented gloves 
to the mourners and pall-bearers was peculiar at a time 
when it was usual to lay a pile on the coffin so each might 
" scrabble for themselves." 

Before 1850 death notices were seldom published in the 
newspapers, but they were proclaimed from the pulpit, 
except in Trinity Church, where the verger read the 
quaintly worded announcement from the organ-loft. After 
the name of the deceased had been given, there was a pause, 
when the speaker would continue: " You are bid to the 
funeral, and will meet with Mrs. Chose." This strange 
phraseology is one of the speech dialects preserved in New- 
port, and interesting on that account, for it is common to 
this day and is often seen in the daily newspapers of the 
city, as well as heard from the pulpit when the announce- 
ment is made. " The guild will meet with Mrs. So and So," 
meaning " at the house of." The word " fyke" is still 
used for a peciiliarly shaped fishing net, although it cannot 




vfVf 



it 






I m^ 




^SSitar^.'^ 



SLAVE-SHIPS, PIRATES, AND PRIVATEERSMEN 

be fovmd in an English dictionar}-, and was adopted from 
the Dutch of New York. A thumb-stall is also called a 
" cot" in Newport, as well as in other parts of New Eng- 
land, and these with other dialects are worth recording as 
relics of early days in the social capital of the United 
States. 

Old Violet was a worthy colored woman who kept a 
goody shop, where school children could buy journey or 
johimy cake, white pot, or poor man's custard, and candy. 
When the little ones did not have a penny, Violet would 
call them behind her counter and put a coin in their tiny 
palms, when they would rush to their ovm side of the 
stand and demand a stick of candy, to pay her with her 
o\\Ti money. 

The Duchess Quanimo lived in Second Street. She was 
a celebrated cook, who even won favor from Comte de 
Rochambeau. She died in 1804. She was noted for her 
amusing accounts of the occupation of Newport by the for- 
eign troops, but had nothmg to say in favor of the English 
army officials. 

Once a year before the Revolution the negroes had a 
grand festival all their own, at which time they were not 
only free to act as they pleased, but with the strange love 
of parade for which they were noted they immediately 
elected a governor, who presided over the ceremony of the 
day and was considered the head of the community dm-ing 
the following year. The third Saturday in June was the 
day set apart for the festivities. The slaves took the rela- 
tive ranks of their masters, and their fantastic dresses 
were in accordance. After the inauguration the governor 
conducted a lady to dinner, placing her at his left hand, 
while the unsuccessful opponent was seated on his right. 
The afternoon was devoted to games, such as wrestling, 

315 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

jiuiipiiig, (juoits, etc., and the evening finished with a grand 
danee. 

It would be impossible not to associate the name of the 
well-known New York skipper, William Kidd, with such 
a safe harbor as that of Newport, for almost every cove 
from Sandy Hook to Cape Cod was supposed to have been 
visited at one time or another by the redoubtal)le priva- 
teersman, and Narragansett Bay offered unrivalled hiding- 
places for ill-gotten goods. 

Captain Kidd mai-ried in New York, May 16, 1691, as 
her third husband, Sai-ah, widow of John Oorst, and daugh- 
ter of Sanmel Bradly. By her he had one daughter, but 
all trace of her and her descendants is lost, since she 
changed her name after Kidd's life was abruptly and dis- 
gracefully terminated, while Mrs. Kidd married for her 
fourth husband Christopher Rosby. Captain Kidd and 
his wife were wealthy people, of good standing in the coin- 
munity. He owned several ships, for wliich he was eager 
to have government protection, suggesting, with other mer- 
chants, that privateersmen should be connnissioned for the 
purpose. Agreeing to Kidd's proposals. Governor Bello- 
mont issued licenses to several masters of sailing craft, 
creating by these patents an amateur navy. Kidd sud- 
denly became very active under this government protection, 
and it is believed made many captures of homeward-bound 
nicrcliantnK'u, concealing the treasure found on ihcui on 
Montauk Point, the eastern cape of Long Island, and other 
places along its sound. Tradition points to different locali- 
ties in Narragansett Bay as having been the sites where 
hoai'ds were concealed, but the best and most authentic 
record of Captain Kidd's adventures is contained in the 
colonial docmnents, as well as in the archives treasured at 
the manor house on Cardiner's Island. 



SLAVE-SHIPS, PIRATES, AND PRIVATEERSMEN 

It appears that Kidd learned tliat the " Quidd(;r Mer- 
chant'' was due in Xew Yoik at a certain date, consigned 
to the owner, Philip Schuyler, and his partners, who were 
well-known merchants. Kidd lay in wait for her off Mon- 
tank Point. By some it is believed that the capture of the 
vessel was an accident, and that Kidd mistook Iici' I'ov a 
pirate, only discovering his mistake after he had mui-ch'i-cxl 
the officers and crew. When realizing how hazardous the 
adventure had become, he feared to confess the truth, so 
instead of carrying his cargo to New York, he sailed aromid 
Montauk Point into Gardiner's Bay, where he landed and 
concealed the treasure in a pit dug by his men near Cherry- 
Trec harbor, that now goes by the name of Kidd's Hollow. 

After hiding the cargo Captain Kidd went boldly to the 
manor house and confessed to Mr. Gardiner that the 
treasure had been concealed, but threatened to kill the 
entire family if he were betrayed. He then induced Mr. 
Gardiner to provision his ship, taking quantities of grist 
from the mill and ordering a pig to be roasted. When his 
commands had been obeyed, Kidd sent for a jug of cider, 
which he quaffed and droppcid a diamond ring in it for 
pavTuent. Then casting a bale of gold brocaded tissue on 
the floor, he disappeared, leaving Mr. Gardiner terrified 
into silence by threats of violence. 

The earthen jug is now in possession of ^Irs. Fairlicld 
Osborn, one of Mr. Gardiner's descendants. The diamond 
ring is owned by another branch of the famil\', while part 
of the beautiful brocade is curcfully preserved at the manor 
house by Mr. Lyon Gardiner. 

The disappearance of the "Quiddci- Mcicliaiit" was soon 
traced to Kidd, and after several hairbreadth esca2)es he 
was captured and carried to Boston in 1698. The authori- 
ties then sent the connnissioners to visit Gardiner's Island, 

317 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

who, armed with credentials from the government, disin- 
terred the buried treasure, which they carried to Boston 
with them, leaving a full receipt with Mr. Gardiner for all 
that had been found. This inventory is written on a piece 
of parchment about two feet long. Bags of gold, bags of 
silver, bags of jewels, bales of sillc, of cotton, of linen, with 
many other rich goods, are duly set forth, each with its 
value placed opposite the item and the sum total at the 
bottom, with the names of the officers who receipted for 
the treasure. This old sheet is preserved at the manor 
house, being a valued proof that the tales about the bold 
privateer were no unfounded romance, but that the buried 
treasure did exist and was honestly restored by the rich 
colonist on whose demesne it was unearthed. 

The house in which Kidd lived is still pointed out in 
Newport. It is in Franklin Street, near the post-office. 

From time to time boxes containing obsolete coins have 
been found buried on Rhode Island that have been called 
Kidd's treasure, particularly on Gooseberry Island, where 
coins, spoons, and other treasures have l)een discovered. 







SK»p»ra A-/.r.u« I:,nn-»r^co ^::.C.- '.■•■- 'f^'S- 

■■CKBteo.uSui-Mei-' 
E\ Goverrvor OeorgoPWfetnvoi 



NEWPORT'S NAVAL HEROES 







IWPORT has many famous sons, 
none more so than her naval 
lieroes, Oliver Hazard Perry and 
Matthew Perry, whose memories 
are perpetuated by the monuments 
erected to them in Washint>:ton and 
Touro Parks. 

,.. ,,,v, r-:--i— .,- Oliver Perry was born in 1785, 

soon after the return of his parents to tlieir old home, 
when peace with England had been proclaimed. Living 
on the verge of the ocean, bred on (Uic of the most beau- 
tiful harbors in the world, iimred to tlie dangers and hard- 
ships of aquatic life from infancy, the son of a naval officer, 
it was little wonder that young Perry should have entered 
the United States navy as a midshipman M'hen only four- 
teen years of age. Tlie government could have had no more 
valuable recruit than the hardy little lad, one-half of whose 
knowledge of seamanship had already been practicaUy 
acquired, not only on Narragansett Bay, but also through 
his father, who was a distinguislied naval officer. 

349 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

He was a handsome boy, with a graceful, well-knit 
figure, but so delicate in appearance that William Chan- 
ning, who was a playmate of young Perry, declared that 
" no one dreamed that he would be a hero that conquered 
the fleet of a nation." 

Perry first served on the frigate " General Greene," 
commanded by his father, Captain C. R. Perry, in 1799- 
1800. When the second war with England broke out, in 
1812, young Perry commanded a division of gunboats that 
was stationed in the harbor for the defence of Newport. 
From this command he was transferred to one of equal 
importance on the great inland lakes, and while sui)erin- 
tending the equipment of a naval force there he was ordered 
to aid in an attack on Fort George, in which he did his part 
with such gallantry as to gain imiversal praise from the 
public and the government. 

On the 10th of September, 1813, Perry won the battle 
of Lake Erie when only twenty-seven years of age. The 
loss of the Americans was twenty-four killed, including 
three officers. He afterwards assisted General Harrison to 
capture Detroit. 

Congress rewarded Perry for these exploits by giving 
him a gold medal and a captain's commission. After the 
war he purchased a large, handsome house in his native 
town that had belonged to Moses Seixas, facing the Parade, 
and here he established himself with his young wife. But 
almost immediately after taking possession of this new 
home Captain Perry was ordered to command a squadron 
stationed on the coast of Colombia, where he was attacked 
by yellow fever, and died on board of his ship, the " John 
Adams," at Port Spain, on August 23, 1819. 

Perry's laconic message to General Harrison after the 
battle of Lake Erie is historic. It was, " We have met 

350 



MAVI'ORTS NAVAL HKROI-.S 

the enemy and they are ours, — two sliips, two brigs, one 
schooner, and a sloop." 

The bronze statue to Commodore Matthew Perry com- 
memorates a peaceful but not less eventful vir-tory gained 
by a Newport man who connnanded the American fleet 
which opened the ports of Japan. 

It was while Millard Fillmore was President of the 
United States and Edward Everett Secretary of State that 
a fleet was despatched to explore the waters surrounding 
Japan, to try to i)ersuade the shut-in iiation to open her 
ports to the commerce of the world. The scjuadron reached 
Japanese waters the 8th of July, 1853, when Fusi was cov- 
ered with a fog-cap that gradually lifted, disclosing the 
full beauty of the great volcano. At five o'clock that after- 
noon the vessels came to anchor off Uraga, on the western 
side of the bay of Yeddo. The fleet consisted of the flag- 
ship '* Susquehanna," the " Mississippi," the " Ply- 
mouth," and the " Saratoga." They were soon surroimded 
by Japanese boats of unjiainted wood, very sharp in the 
bows, carrying their greatest beam well aft, that were pro- 
pelled with great rapidity. " The resemblance of their 
model to that of the yadit ' America" sti-uck (■vciy})ody dii 
board," says Bayard Taylor. The government report of 
the expedition says, " That night an interesting meteoro- 
logical phenomenon was observed by Lieutenant John K. 
Duer, in command of the watch," who describes it as a 
remarkable meteor seen from midnight until four in the 
morning. Soothsayers might well take this for a text on 
the future of the alliance between Japan and the United 
States, and the commodore was willing to believe in its 
good omen, for he writes: " Tlie form of the meteor was 
that of a large blue sphere, with a red wedge-shaped tail. 
The ancients," he remarks, in his report to the government, 

351 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

" would have construed this remarkable appearance of the 
heavens as a favorable omen for any enterprise they had 
undertaken," adding, " It may be so construed by us, as 
we pray God that our present attempt to bring a singular 
and isolated people into the family of civilized nations may 
succeed without resort to bloodshed." 

On July 14, 1853, the first Americans landed in the king- 
dom of Japan at what was then known as Grorahama, where 
a monument has been erected to mark the spot. Bayard 
Taylor graphically describes the scene, saying, " Captain 
Buchanan, who had command of the party, was the first to 
leap ashore. The officers commanding detachments were 
Commanders Buchanan and "Walker and Lieutenants Gillis 
and Taylor. The bodies of seamen were in immediate 
charge of Lieutenant Duer of the * Susquehanna,' Lieu- 
tenant Morris of the ' Mississippi,' Lieutenant Matthews 
of the ' Plymouth,' " etc. Including all, three hundred and 
twenty Americans landed, among them the band, which 
played " Hail Cokmibia" and " Yankee Doodle." The 
company were entertained with refreshments, and the cups 
from which the tea was drunk were presented to the 
Americans. They are of a chocolate-colored clay covered 
with a rich glaze of blue enamel, decorated with medalions 
enclosing dainty groups of flowers. These cups were called 
" treaty cups," one of them being now in possession of the 
author. 

The presents sent by President Fillmore, consisting of 
a miniature railroad and telegraphic apparatus, etc., had 
not been received by Commodore Perry, so after sending 
his despatches to the Mikado, and being told that the answer 
would be returned during the following spring, he returned 
to the fleet, leaving Yeddo Bay July 17, bound for Hong 
Kong. The following February, 1854, Conmiodore Perry 

352 




JMtM hKKeitl) 



NEWPORT'S NAVAL HEROES 

returned with a fleet of eight vessels, the " Powhatan" 
being the flag-ship. " On February 13 they sailed along 
the magnificent bay," says Coniuiodore Perry, " with con- 
fidence, and anchored within the bight embraced within the 
bold headlands. . . . Two government boats at once ap- 
proached the fleet, and negotiations for the reception of the 
Americans were opened." For various reasons these were 
prolonged until the 8th of INIarcli, when the representatives 
of the United States govci-nnient were received with im- 
posing ceremonies, and the great treaty was concluded 
which reflects such credit to the tact of Commodore ^latthew 
Perry. 







*t- 



CKNTRES OF INTEREST 



A 




N integral part of Newport life, 

whether among its butterfly sum- 
residents or the winter bee- 
live, are the clubs for which it is 

noted. These range from the St. 

(lalahad Society of Trinity Church, 
so lately organized to amuse the boys, through the gamut 
of Christian associations, Freemasons' Lodges, musical, 
literary, and social societies, guilds, sporting clubs, casino, 
and library. The men's club, called the Newpoi-t Reading- 
Room, has its home in a siin])lo franu; biiilding on the 
corner of Bellevue Avenue and Church Street, where 
during the summer the loimgers sit on the broad piazza to 
study the procession of wheels rolling restlessly past. It is 
one of the most expensiv(! and exclusive clubs in the comi- 
try. The young men who throng the corridors or fill the 
windows are the smartest around to\\'n, and they are attrac- 
tive features as they saunter about in their faultlessly cut 
garments, with their hats cocked in the latest fashion, with 
an indescribable air of self-satisfaction kno\m only to the 
well-turned-out male. 

The Casino, on Bellevue Avenue, opens its doors to 
men and women alike. It offers all the customary play- 
grounds that appeal to rich idlers who think to toy with 

365 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

a ball is the best sjDort in the world, be it golf, tennis, bil- 
liards, cricket, etc. Whenever the committee provides 
extra entertainments the grounds are filled with the 
" fine flavor of fashionable folk." Horse-shows, dog- 
shows, tennis tournaments, etc., take place in its enclo- 
sures, that are always well patronized. It is a dazzling 
sight when the lawns are covered with well-dressed women, 
whose jewels sparkle in the sunlight, rivalling the bril- 
liancy of their eyes. The graceful sweep of the gauzy 
dresses, the flutter of ribbons or scarfs, the fanciful head- 
gear, and effective parasols make a picture not easily 
forgotten. 

The Golf Ckib, perched on the rocks near the ocean two 
and a half miles from town, finds many patrons for its 
links, attracting the men and maids who love to play with 
a stick and a ball. Dances are occasionally given in its 
parlors, and many entertainments take place in this clu1:»- 
house, that rivals the Casino. 

It is at the Polo Grounds that the smart set love to 
gather, and there is no more brilliant sight than the ranks 
of handsomely appointed equipages, the gayly dressed 
women mixed with the bright uniforms of the players, 
who deem knocking about the little polo balls the greatest 
sport in the world. 

The devotees of line and rod have two celebrated estab- 
lishments. The Graves Point Pishing Club is a favorite 
retreat of Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, at the end of Ocean 
Avenue. The lovers of statistics declare Mr. Morgan 
spends about four hours a year fishing from the rocks, 
which costs him five hundred dollars an hour. 

Gooseberry Island Club has only twelve active members, 
some of whom delight in the sport, but the place is famous 
for the cosey entertainments given there by the members 

356 



CENTRES OF INTERES'i' 

who enjo}' a quiet game of bridge or a good romp under 
the rafters of tlie quaint club-house. 

There is no gayer sight than a meet, and a hunthig morn- 
ing at Ne\v])ort draws a crowd of riders as well as spec- 
tators. "Wlicii tlic ))aek finds and tlic field gallops off in 
pursuit of the runaway fox, the whole air seems alive with 
sport and merriment. Fox-hunting was an anuisement in- 
dulged in by the early settlers of Newpoi't, for Bishop 
ik'rkeley says, *' We lieard tlie confiised noise of tlie open- 
ing of hounds, the winding of hoi'us, and tlie sliouts of the 
country scpiin^s." 

There are so many English servants in New])ort during 
the season that they have organized a cricket clul), where 
spi]-ited matches take place that are heartily enjoyed by 
loxcrs of the English game, but by no means as well patron- 
ized as one of base-ball, which is attended by every urchin 
in the place, who make the echoes ring with their shouts. 

The graceful dames who created Newport as a fashion- 
able sununer resort about 1850 devoted themselves to such 
mild sports as bowling, archery, and, in 1860, to croquet. 
The archery grounds at Governor Lawrence's Ochre Point 
were famous, and his daughters were celel)rati'd for their 
skill, while Miss Eanny Russell wore the champion gold 
bracelet for many years. 

As early as 1761 the IIel)rews of Newport organized 
a club, the number of members being Imiited to nine, — 
Moses Lopez, Isaac Pollock, Jacob Isaacs, Abraham Sar- 
zedas, Moses Levy, Issachar Pollock, Naphtali Hart and 
his son, with Jacob Rodriquez Riviera. They met every 
Wednesday evening during the winter. Each member was 
allowed to bring one friend. From five to eight they 
" diverted at cards," piquet being the favorite game. 
Supper was at eight. 

357 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

During this period there were many private whist clubs. 
Elaborate dinners were given beforehand, at four o'clock. 
It is recorded that General Knox's favorite toast when he 
was in Newport was " Sup where we have dined with 
cards." 

Subscription dances have always been fashionable in 
Newport. The Assemblies were exclusive and were inter- 
mittently kept up imtil about 1825. The supper was iced 
black cake. 

In 1752 the sea-captains of Newport organized a Fellow- 
shij) Club, that was incorporated in 1754, and is still exist- 
ing under the name of the Marine Society. 

The Freemasons and the Artillery Company, mentioned 
more particularly elsewhere, are among the oldest organiza- 
tions in the country. 

But Newport is not only a frivolous place; it has its 
more serious side. The Philosophical Society, to which 
Dr. Berkeley belonged, gave an impetus to learning and 
science. The Town and Country Club is a literary society 
founded by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, that meets informally 
at the houses of the members. Bret Harte, Dr. J. G. Hol- 
land, Professors Lane, Goodwin, and William B. Rogers, 
Fanny Fern, Colonel Higginson, Miss Goodwin, etc., were 
at the first sessions. Colonel Waring once gave an amusing 
lecture on " Social Small Potatoes, and how to enlarge the 
Eyes," and such celebrated persons as Professor Alexander 
Agassiz, Dr. Weir Mitchell, Miss Maria Mitchell, etc., have 
addressed the club, that included Mr, Bancroft, Rev. C. T. 
Brooks, and many more too numerous to mention. 

There are countless other societies in Newport, show- 
ing how sprightly the town can be even during the rigid 
winters. The card clubs are numerous, and during the 
smnmer bridge parties are of hourly occurrence. At 

358 




RhSlDI NCK OF MRS. HINRV s. HdVI, 



CENTRES OF INTEREST 

these meetings of the hidies' club prizes are ollered by the 
hostess that are of such value that one well-known winner 
has purchased a " vitriue," in which her winnings are dis- 
played to advantage. 

The circular structure standing on eight open arches 
supported by pillars, in Touro Park, that is locally known 
as " The old stone mill," has been the theme of many a 
song or story, as well as much argument, theory, and debate. 
There is absolutely no authentic record con(;erning its con- 
struction or its purpose, and no mention of it in colonial 
documents, beyond the careless references to it as a boun- 
dary mark in an early deed and the will of one of the first 
settlers. But these have served for a text for many writers, 
who, discarding a Norse origin for the tower, prefer to 
believe it was built by Governor Arnold for his own use 
as a windmill after a model he had seen in England, 
although it dil3^ers from the structure in many important 
points. These writers also entirely ignore other and authen- 
tic statements that do not agree with their cherished theory. 
The stone ruin in Touro Park stands on the crest of the 
hill looking westward over Newport harbor, with a glimpse 
of the ocean to the east. Before it was surrounded with 
trees and by the houses of the town the building must have 
been a conspicuous object at sea, for it stands eighty-four 
feet above the level, on the highest point of land abutting 
on the Atlantic coast between Massachusetts and the High- 
lands of Neversink. 

The building resembles very many of the i)eculiar stone 
structures found on the northern coasts of Europe, par- 
ticularly the rude stone towers on the coast of Ireland. 
It, too, is built of stone, which is to be found in quantities 
on this hill-top, and of which all the old boundary walls 
were constructed. A specimen of these walls can be seen 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

on botli sides of the circular gateway on Governor Wet- 
more 's grounds, that show where the old wall was pierced 
when the modern opening was made. 

The mortar used when building the tower has been ana- 
l.yzed, and found to be of shell-lime, sand, gravel, with flakes 
of broken slate pounded fine, which was easily obtained 
from materials close to the hand of the masons. There are 
eight pillars laid to the points of the compass. There is a 
fireplace directly over one of the piers, carefully laid with 
a flat slab of stone six inches thick for a hearth-stone. The 
north flue runs up nearly vertical, while the other flue 
curves to the southward before turning up. The top of 
each of the flues is covered with large stones. The flreplace 
was part of the original constri;ction, and shows marks of 
usage. 

It is noteworthy that every writer on the subject of the 
early houses in Newport comments on the fact that the first 
settlers invariably placed their chimneys to the north and 
on the outside of the building. That of Governor Arnold 
in particular followed this fashion. If the tower was built 
by him, it was the only building on Aquidneck that had 
flues in the walls. If the building were intended for a mill, 
it would seem as if there would have been danger to the 
rapidly turning sails that would have continually fanned 
sparks from a flue that opened close to their inflammable 
sides. 

" The windows," says Mr. Mason, " present the only 
anomalous features in the building [if it were intended for 
a Avindmill], their position having been established without 
regard to the intercolumniation. This is the more remark- 
able in that every other part of the building is accurately 
spaced on a given plan, from the setting out of the piers 
on the true cardinal points of the compass, to the heights 



CKNTRl-.S OK INTI.KKSI" 

and curves of the arclics and the jilaciiii;- of tlit- ])i('rs outside 
the axis of the walls." 

There were two floors inside the huilding. The lower 
one was set on heavy tiniher, the frames of which were 
about ten inches scjuare. It was level with the hearth-stone. 
The holes for the staircase to the upper floor can easily be 
seen in the walls, that were of the same thickness for twenty 
feet two inches from the ground, wliile the ui)i)er part of 
the wall was not so thick. 

Those writers who have studied the tower, claiuung for 
it a more ancient construction tlian tliat of the settlers of 
Newport, point out that its circidar shape and arches recall 
several of the baptisteries connected with old cathedrals, 
particularly the one at Asti, as well as the magnificent ruin 
of ^lellifont Abbey, at Drogheda, Ireland, that was built 
about 1157. The writers who claim that Govei'uor Arnold 
built the tower declare that he copied it from a mill built at 
Leamington, England, in 1632, by Tnigo Jones, that was 
close to the early home of the colonial governor. This mill 
had six piers and only one story under the mova])le roof that 
carried the machinery bearing the sails, in both of which 
points the Newport tower differs from the English one. 
Another writer in the Pctunj Magazine, No\-ember, 1836, 
page 480, states that tlie mill in question is at Chesterton, 
Warwickshire, England, which causes a thii-d writer to 
declare that Governor Arnold probably never saw the mill 
in question, and that the Newport tower only resembled it 
in being circulai- in sha])e. The contending writers have 
contril)ute(l articles to diffei'cnt magazines or news{)apers 
without placing theii- names to the pai)ers. 

Tn the " History of Rhode Island," Volume II., page 
i;iT, the autlior says (as if there were no possil)ility of differ- 
ing with him), " The theory of the Norse oi-igin of the old 



NEWPORT: OUR [SOCIAL CAPITAL 

stone mill lias long been exploded. Benedict Arnold the 
elder makes repeated and distinct allusions in his last will 
to the structure as built by himself." Comparisons with 
the will, however, show no statement that the mill was built 
by Governor Arnold. It is referred to as " my stone mill," 
but this may have been a local designation for a building 
resembling a windmill that stood as a landmark on the 
owner's property. 

Arnold left his " stone mill" to his daughter, the wife 
of Edward Pelham, whose name was given to the street still 
bearing it. One of Mrs. Pelham 's daughters married John 
Bannister, whose house still stands on the corner of Pelham 
and Spring Streets, marked General Prescott's Head- 
quarters. Their coimtry place was opposite Honyman's 
Hill, on the site of the battle of Rhode Island. 

Mr. Mason, in his " Reminiscences of Newport," de- 
votes many pages to describing the old tower, of which he 
gives carefully made architectural drawings, to which he 
adds a thoughtful essay on the subject. He also quotes from 
Peter Easton's Diary, August 28, 1675: " On Saturday 
night, forty years after the great storm in 1635, came much 
the like storm, blew down one windmill, and did much 
harm." " This first mill," continues Mr. Mason, " was 
of wood. General Arnold made his will December 20, 
1677, a i3eriod of two years and four months after the 
gale which destroyed the first mill. During that tune 
he may have erected a second and more enduring struc- 
ture of stone, keeping in mind the model he had seen in 
Leamington." 

Some persons declare, without authority, that the 
builder of the tower was Easton, which adds to the con- 
fusion, while there is a deed recording the purchase of 
property for the Jews' cemetery in 1677, describing it as 



CENTRES OF INTEREST 

" a piece of land thirty feet long resting southwest upon 
the highway that leads from ye stone mill toward Benjamin 
Griffin's house." But although this deed and Arnold's will 
very plainly call the stone tower a mill, there is no indica- 
tion in the structure pointing to the fact that it was ever 
used for milling purposes or that it carried a sail to turn 
a wheel. 

The piers of the tower are marked features. They jut 
beyond the exterior of the building, and this is exactly 
where they do not follow the lines of the English mill that 
is said to have stood for the model. This is a strikingly 
important alteration, for it would necessarily have thrown 
the sails far from the bearings on the wall, and would 
have increased the strain on the spindle that carried them, 
which would have caused a loss of considerable power. 
Those writers who insist that the tower was built for a mill 
do not explain this seeming lack of aeinnen on the part of 
the builders. 

It is noteworthy that no record survives to prove that 
Governor Arnold erected a stone tower, while there are 
records which mention his building, at a very early period, 
a wooden mill exactly resembling every other windmill on 
the island, which are on an entirely different model from 
the stone tower, and this construction seems to be the only 
one that has found favor in Ne^vport. Nor do those on 
Long Island resemble the tower, although many of the 
early settlers came from Warwickshire. 

The reason given by some writers for building a wind- 
mill on open piers was " to allow the wind free passage, so 
no eddy wind should be caused that would make back sail 
and lessen power." The intelligent millers of Rhode Island 
did not seem to have considered this experiment successful, 
for the design was not adopted in any other part of Aquid- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

neck. The open ground-floor would necessitate putting the 
grindstones on the second story, to which the miller would 
be forced to carry his grist in order to grind it. This would 
bring the grindstones inconveniently close to the fireplace, 
that all observers agree was part of the original con- 
struction. 

The lovers of the mill theory always omit to mention 
that according to Peterson's " History of Rhode Island," 
page 167, " In the year 1756 a lookout house was built on 
the top of the stone mill, which then belonged to Mrs. John 
Bannister," the granddaughter of Governor Arnold. This 
statement seems to prove that at a very early date the 
structure was used for something besides a mill. There is 
no record of the removal of the machinery, which must have 
had some value, or any reason given for abandoning its use, 
if, indeed, there had ever been any in the tower. 

Benjamin Lossing, in his " Pictorial Field Book," Vol- 
mne II., page 64, says that he went to Newport October 
22, 1848, where he visited Governor Gibbs, who was then 
living in the historic house on Mill Street now owned by 
ex-Mayor Frederic Garretson. The tower stood facing 
the house in an open field, quite unprotected from vandal 
hands, for it was before Judah Touro had given money to 
preserve it. 

Lossing writes : ' ' Governor Gibbs informed me that on 
excavating at the base of one of the pillars he found the 
soil about four feet deep lying upon a stratmn of hard rock, 
and that the foundation of the column which rested upon 
this rock was composed of rough-hewn sjjheres of stone, the 
lower ones about four feet in circumference. He remem- 
bered the appearance of the tower more than fifty years ago, 
when it was covered with hard stucco within and without. 
During the British possession the tower had a roof, and the 

361 



CENTRES OF INTEREST 

walls were three or four feet higlier tlian at present. The 
British used it for aii ammunition magazine, and when they 
evacuated the island they attempted to demolish ' the old 
mill' by igniting- a keg of powder within it." 

In an artit-le in Harpers Mdfjazinc, Volume IX., })age 
311, the writer says, — 

" Jlr. Joseph .Mninford stated, in lK:i4, when he was ei<;hty years old, 
that his father was born in Kii)!), and always spoke of the buildinf;; as a 
' powder mill,' and he himself remembered that in his boyhood (say in 
1760) it was used as a hay-mow. John Langley, another octogenarian, 
remembered hearing: his fatlier say that when he was a boy, whieh mvist 
have been early in the eighteenth eentury, he carried eorn to the mill 
to be ground. ' ' 

This ignores the fact that the tower had been altered in 
1756 by Mrs. Bannister for " a lookout house," while, as 
there was a wooden mill not far from the stone tower, a 
senile mind might easily have cotifused the buildings, for 
there were otlicf windmills on the hill close to the stone 
t(twer. One of them was l)unied to the gromid alxmt I.S.jO. 
Anotlier was removed, and is still standing on Ilonyman's 
Hill. .\ny of these mills might have been (ine of those 
familiar to old residenls of Newport, it is iii.-redihle that 
a fireplace should have been placed in a structure intended 
for the manufacttire of gunpowder, but the use of the l)uild- 
ing by the Bi-itish, in which they stored powder, might have 
confused an aged mind. 

('. S. Pierce, in Science Mont III ij. Volume IV., declares: 
" It coidd not have been erected without a drawing to scale, 
so a luiit of length must have been employed, and tliat luiit 
(whedier Norsemen or English were the builders) would 
undoubtedly be a foot." The writer draws no deductions 
from his obseiwations, leaving us in the dark as to his 
private conclusiotis on llie subject. 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Other architects who have carefully studied the scale 
drawings aud plans of the building declare that it must 
have been erected before rib-vaulting was invented, which 
was about 1120, as the arches are unmoulded. This gives a 
basis for calculation that agrees with the theory that the 
tower was standing when the first settlers reached Aquid- 
neck, although no record of it is found in the archives ; but 
as the to-svn papers were carried off by the British when 
they evacuated Newport, the omission is accounted for. 

It has been pointed out by different writers that the 
walls were thicker on the second floor than higher up. 
Those upholding the theory that the building was intended 
for a mill do not explain why this should be the case, for it 
would seem particularly necessary to have made them of 
the same width from piers to roof if they were intended 
to support the weight of heavy machinery on the upper 
story. 

That the flues were used for some time is proved by the 
blackened sides of the chimneys, pointing to a conclusion 
that they were a necessary part of the construction in the 
minds of the builders. 

A writer in the Newport Herald of Monday, August 24, 
1903, in a clever article entitled " Fact and Fancy about 
the Old Stone Mill," marshals carefidly all the statements 
made by previous aiathors, weighing conscientiously the 
pros and cons without declaring any positive conclusion, 
but says, " The only two windows are the most peculiar 
feature of the structure, as they appear to have been cut 
without regard to the accuracy and symmetry displayed in 
the plan of the building. The reveals of the windows are 
splayed both ways, leaving a square jamb four inches wide 
in the centre. The sills are made of two flat stones laid 
four inches ajjart, corresponding with the jambs ; the edges 



CENTRES OF INTEREST 

of these sills toward the centre are square cvit the whole 
length and tenninate in mortises four inches square and 
three and one-half inches deep, sunk in the jambs, evidently 
to receive the wooden sills. 

*' The outer edges of these sills are l)r()ken and ragged, 
and many of the inner stones have disappeared. There are 
eight other small openings in the walls, but it is clear they 
were made long after the structure was built." 

The floors, stairway, and all woodwork of the tower were 
removed when the city took it under its protection, placing 
around it a railing, the money for which was ])rovided by 
Judah Touro. 

Mr. Longfellow's cliarming theory about the ancient 
tower has found many believers, who delight in the halo of 
romance he has drawn about it, caring notliing for tra- 
ditions or scientific discussions. So when lie votes for a 
Norse origin for the structure he has plenty of followers 
who quote his graceful lines: 

" There for my lady's bower 
Built I the lofty tower, 
"Which, to this very hour, 

Stands lookiui^ seaward." 

Well-preserved Icelandic scrolls now deposited at 
Copenhagen, Denmark, prove that vessels visited the north- 
ern coast of the Atlantic Ocean at a very early date, so it 
is quite possible that one should have been wrecked on 
Aquidneck, the crew of which saved their lives, with per- 
haps a few rude implements, while their ship was rendered 
vmseaworthy. A crew, whether from Iceland, England, or 
other European country, seeing no way of escape, might 
well have erected for their own use, with the stoncis tliat 
lay scattered conveniently near, a tower that should l^e at 
once a post of observation, a pharos, and a fort. The build- 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

ers did not apj)ear, however, to dread attacks from savages, 
for the open arches would have afforded but scant protec- 
tion from an enemy, who could readily build a fire in the 
centre of the building that would destroy the core and occu- 
pants without trouble or danger to the invaders. Nor 
would a heavy stockade enclosing the structure be of much 
protection from well-equipped savages ; while, on the other 
hand, the tower would afford a safe refuge from the wild 
beasts that had their lairs on the island for many years 
after the English settled Newport. 

The open arches w^ere laid for a purpose on solid foun- 
dations true to the points of the compass. This construc- 
tion saved the builders trouble hj affording them a high 
platform from which they could overlook both harbor and 
ocean. If this w^as the intention of the architect, heavy 
walls on the ground-floor were unnecessary. 

Mr. Pierce particularly mentions in his article that 
" the stones show no drill-marks and no marks of an axe, 
but do show marks of a hammer." In fact, there was no 
necessity for drilling stones, since those of which the tower 
was built could be picked up close at hand. If the con- 
structors of the tower had possessed axes, it is probable 
that they would have built for themselves a boat that would 
have answered for a long voyage, although there was 
nothing on the island that could have provided them with 
canvas for sails. Hopeless of escape, these shipwrecked 
mariners resorted to piling stones on each other, cementing 
them with shell mortar, in the persuasion that such a 
structure would attract notice of other more fortunate ex- 
plorers, by whom the lost crew might be rescued. 

The tower was tall enough to be seen from the decks of 
any vessels approaching the coast by daylight, while at the 
same time it would afford a shelter for people for whose 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

ers did not appear, however, to dread attacks from savages, 
for the open arches would have afforded but scant protec- 
tion from an enemy, who could readily build a fire in the 
centre of the building that would destroy the core and occu- 
pants without trouble or danger to the invaders. Nor 
would a heavy stockade enclosing the structure be of much 
protection from well-equipped savages ; while, on the other 
hand, the tower would afford a safe refuge from the wild 
beasts that had their lairs on the island for many years 
after the English settled Newport. 

The open arches were laid for a purpose on solid foun- 
dations true to the points of the compass. This construe- ^ 
tion saved the builders trouble by affording them a high " 
platform from which they could overlook both harbor and ° 
ocean. If this was the intention of the architect, heavy | 
walls on the ground-floor were unnecessary. 

Mr. Pierce particularly mentions in his 
" the stones show no drill-marks and no marks of an axe, g 

s 

but do show marks of a hanmier." In fact, there was no S 
necessity for drilling stones, since those of which the tower ^ 
was built could be picked up close at hand. If the con- 
structors of the tower had possessed axes, it is probable 
that they would have buUt for themselves a boat that Avould 
have answered for a long voyage, although there was 
nothing on the island that could have proA-ided them with 
canvas for sails. Hopeless of escape, these shipwrecked 
mariners resorted to pUing stones on each other, cementing 
them with shell mortar, in the persuasion that such a 
structure would attract notice of other more f ortmiate ex- 
plorers, by whom the lost crew might be rescued. 

The tower was tall enough to be seen from the decks of 
any vessels approaching the coast by daylight, while at the 
same time it would afford a shelter for people for whose 



CENTRES OF IN'n'.RKST 

comfort or convenience the fireplace might have been built 
into the original walls. 

Since the arches were laid true to the points of the com- 
pass, there was probably a reason for this care that would 
have been mmecessary when building a windmill. Many 
authors mention this peculiarity. Others (as have been 
quoted) comment on the position of the windows, but with- 
out deducing any theory that would account for placing 
them exactly in that part of the wall. 

But if the sketches made to scale are accurate, they show 
that the lai'gest opening lines np with Beaver-Tail, that is 
the southern cape of Conanicut Island, at the entrance to 
Narragansett Bay, so a mariner making the harbor could 
pick up the light in the tower to steer by it into the land- 
locked harbor of what is now Newport. Therefore, if a fire 
were kindled on the main floor of the building, twenty or 
more feet above the gromid, in the centre of the arches, it 
wonld throw a concentrated light out of two windows at the 
same time, and serve as a beacon by which to enter the har- 
bor at night, while the peculiarly constructed flues would 
be useful not only for warming the building, ])ut also for 
carrying off fumes and smoke from the beacon-light, that 
was necessary not oidy as a guide for mariners, but also 
for fisheraien. It would not have been impossible for cast- 
aways to hollow a log by burning so as to make for them- 
selves a canoe, after Indian fashion. In this they could 
paddle about the harbor, when a light-house would be a use- 
ful if not a necessary convenience. 

The theory that the tower was erected by a shipwrecked 
crew for a pharos does not seem to have been considered, 
and it may be untenable, as no personal surveys have been 
made, but it is offered for attention as throwing a new light 
on the tower in Newport. 

« 309 



NEWPORT: OUR SOCIAL CAPITAL 

Those who cling to the vague statements pointing to 
Governor Arnold's having built it for a mill may declare 
with Sancho, " God bless me! did not I warn you to have 
a care of what you were doing, for that it was nothing but 
a windmill, and nobody could mistake it but one who had 
the like in his head?" 



INDEX 



Aaron, 154 

Abiff, Hiram, 279 

Academy, United States Naval, at 

Newport, 47, 113 
Adams, Fort, ofTicers, 37 ; situation 
of, 39; fasliionable drive to, 
44; middies at, 113; yachts, 
114; Major de Tousard, 119; 
inaujrural ceremonies, 120; im- 
proved, 121; Hammersmith, 
130; burial-plaee, 135; evacu- 
ation from, 20S; Minister's 
Wooing, 248; Roman Catholic 
workmen, 2G9 
John, llS-120 
Addicks, J. E., 84, SS 
Admiral, the, 147 
Admiralty, 144 
Africa, 137, 300 
Agassiz, Louis, 81 
Max, 112 

Professor, 118, 358 
"Ailsa," 12 

Albany, 102, 309, 319, 338 
Aldcn, Wm., 31 
Alexander. See AVamsutta 
"Alfred," the, 177 
Allston, WashinRlon, 287, 289, 304, 

305 
Almanac, 217 

Almy, Captain Brnjaniin, 104 
Almy's Pond, 52. 53, 75, 7G, S3, 87 
Alston, Joseph, 338 
Amazons, 169 
"America," the, 116, 351 
American annv, 70, 119 
colonies, 143 
frigate, 187 



Americans, 174, 175, 176, 182, 183, 
184, 209 

Amusements, 30 ; hops, 31 ; dancing 
reception, 31; Mr. McAllister, 34; 
fetes, 36; winter colony, 37; after- 
noon drive, 44; teas, 47; casino, 
49; excursions, 109; cup-races, 111; 
men of war, 112; yachts, 115; 
opening Fort Adams, 120; the first, 
130; Indian, 140; French recep- 
tion, 211 ; fete of St. Louis, 212 ; 
Awashonks, 324 ; pow-wow, 325 ; 
dinners and dances, 358 

Andrews, Mr., 57 

Anecdotes, 110, 112, 137, 144, 164, 
167, ISO, 181, 182, 183, 184, 193, 
224, 225, 231, 232, 233, 238, 2.39, 
247, 250, 258, 264, 271, 280, 294, 
296, 297, 298, 300, 301, 302, 30.3, 
323, 328, 338, 339, 344, 345, 350, 
351, 352, 364, 305 

Annandale road, 67 

Annapolis, 113, 339 

Anne, Queen, 119, 257, 273 

Anson, George P., 336 

Antarctic Ocean, 18 

Anthon, Miss Joanna, 30 

Anthony, Albro, 291 
Elizabeth, 291 

Antigua, 19 

Antinomians, 124 

Aquidncok, 17; its name, 39; cape 
of, 59; name changed, 68; soutii- 
east point, 71 ; exposed, 74 ; bleak 
point, SO; first estate, 81; marshes, 
82; first president of, 83; Mr. 
Kane's lawn, 89; favored, 95; ex- 
plorers, 96; change of name, 97; 
eo.nling slnljon. lOt: vacbts at, 111; 



INDEX 



Aquidneck (Coiitiuued) — 
the capital, 123; settled, 124; pur- 
chased, 125 ; price of, 125 ; govern- 
ment, 126; Englishmen's name, 126; 
more land, 128 ; charter, 133 ; Bren- 
ton's purchase, 133; Indians, 137; 
battle, 139; rich citizens, 141; sons 
of, 167 ; regiments at, 185 ; Treaty 
of Paris, 187; Tiverton, 190; ter- 
rible storm, 191; American retreat, 
203; Sullivan leaves, 204; Com- 
monsense Point, 206; foraging, 208; 
peace, 220; Mr. Hutchinson, 225; 
Baptists, 225; Colonel TrambuU's 
visit, 286; hotel, 291; houses, 307; 
renamed, 321; queen, 323; dress, 
323; square, 326; chimneys, 360; 
old tower, 360; mills, 363; tower, 
366 ; early visitors, 367 
"Arethusa," the, 145 
Army, American, defeat, 186; spies, 
188; recruits, 190; on Aquid- 
neck, 190; entrenchments, 192; 
none at Newport, 208; in pos- 
session, 210; plans, 214 
British, the regiments, 179; sor- 
ties, 183; at Aquidneck, 185; 
destructive, 185; land, 188; 
seven thousand men, 188; trap- 
ped, 189 ; at Newport, 190 ; en- 
trenchments, 192; changes, 204; 
evacuate Newport, 208; capitu- 
lation, 218; evacuation of New 
York, 218 
French, disembark, 210; plans, 
214; reception for Washington, 
215; in Virginia, 218 
Arnold, Governor Benedict, 128, 136, 
359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364 
Samuel Greene, 166 
Artillery, Newport, 219, 220, 358 
Ashhurst, Mrs., 47 

Assembly, 144, 146, 159, 163, 170, 178, 
183, 186, 192, 235, 312 
room, 216 
Asti, 361 
Astor, Miss, married, 28, 65 



Astor (Continued) — 

Mr. John Jacob, 111, 114, 116 
old home, 61 

Mrs. William, 47, 53 

William Waldorf, 53, 56 
Asylum built, 25 
Atlantic House, 30, 41, 47, 113 

Ocean, 18, 95, 367 
" Atlantic," the, 103 
Auchincloss, Hugh, 83, 108, 109 
Aunt Hannah, 35 
Awashonks, 324, 325 
Ayrault Street, 32 



Babcock, Colonel, 174 

Bachelor's Hall, 308 

Bailey's Beach, 19, 64, 73, 74, 75 

Baily, Rev. Joseph, 310 

Baker's Hill, 205 

Balch, Miss Bessie, 32 

Baldwin, Columbus, 90 
Mrs., 53, 87 

Bateman place, 82 

Baltimore, 158 

Bancroft, George, 61, 358 

Bannister, John, 181, 293, 313, 362 
Mrs., 296, 299, 362, 364, 365 

Baptists, 17; founder, 23; birthplace, 
225; the rites, 226; Easter day, 
227; fii-st teacher, 228; church, 
228, pastors, 229, 231; troops, 
229 ; Second church, 229 ; First 
church, 229; Dr. Vaughan, 230; 
Central Baptists, 230; Old church, 
231; anecdote, 232; sheltered, 234; 
Saturday and Sunday, 250; in 
Newport, 268; William Claggett, 
288; women, 327; colored, 343 

Bar Mitzvah, 242 

Barclay, Clement, 34 

Clement C, 31, 33, 51 

Barger, Samuel, 50 

Baring Street, 229, 269 

Barney's Ferry, 215 

Barrade, Mr. de, 62 
Barrc, Colonel, 162 



INDEX 



Barring-tou, Major William, 183 
Barton, Colonel William, 1S2, 183, 185 
Bassett, Isaac, 220 
Bateman Avenue, 87 
Bath road, 28, 55, U4, 65 
Batterj' Street, 170 
Battles, Indian, 13S; of 1765, 143; 
" Gaspe," 152 ; naval, 100 ; in har- 
bor, 172; at Prudence Island, 173; 
April 6, 174; in Narragansctt Bay, 
175, Castle Hill, 176 ; report of 
battle of Rhode Island, 194 
Bay of Refuge, 96 

State, 103 
Bayside fann, 34 
Beach Bound, 85 

Mrs. Nicholas, 33 

entertainments, 31 
Beacon Hill, 76, 77, 88, 133, 168, 174, 
188, 209 
road, 84, 87 
rock, 84 
Beacons, the, 168, 209 
Beaver, the, 145, 147 
Beaver-tail, 81, 83, 209, 309 
" Beaver Tail," 105 
Bedfordshire, 228 
Bedlow, Mr., 37 

Mrs., 37 
Bedouin, the, SO 
Beechwood, 02 

Beekman, Livingston, Mr., 03 
Belcourt, 54 
Bell, Isaac, Jr., 50 

Mr., 54, 02 
Bellevue Avenue, Mr. do Rham's 
house, 28, 73; riparian estates, 
32; cottages, 33; rendezvous, 
33; cab-stands, 36; account of, 
39 ; the Mecca, 40 ; Jews' Cenie- 
lei-y, 40; its use, 41; the artery, 
42; fashions on, 42; hacks on, 
43; re.sidences on, 43; pasture- 
land, 43; original buildings, 44; 
the crowd, 44; begins at, 45; 
gay, 46; business part of, 48; 
iiouses of the fifties, 49; lane, 



Bellevue Avenue (Continued) — 

50; changes, 57; Govenior 
Wetniore, 52; By-the-Sea, 53 
Belcourt, 54; last house, 54 
laid out, 82; triangle, 87 
crosses Narragansctt, 89; Nar- 
ragansctt, 90 ; excursionists, 
109; Mr. Tompkins, 112; At- 
lantic House, 113; Jews' Cenie- 
teiy, 243; Jews Street, 200; 
Oaklawn, 302; reading-room, 
355 
Court, 50 
house, 30; situation, 41 

Bellomont, Governor, 340 

Bells, 255 

Belmont, August, his farm, 35: 
fashions, 53, 05 
Mrs., her home, 32; beauty, 53 
Oliver Hazard I'ei-ry, 54, 87 
Perry, 53, 00 

Belvoir, 84 

i'.ennclt, James Gordon, 49, 50, 111, 
110 

Beno, ISO 

Berkeley, Bishop, residence, 70; chair, 
70; pulpit, 250; organ, 258; 
arrival, 259 ; new ideas, 203 ; 
histoiy, 264; party, 205; Philo- 
sophical Society, 266; White- 
hall, 266; prefennents, 267 
death, 207; emigrates, 283 
theories, 284; likeness, 285 
books, 310; society, 321; fox 
hunting, 357 
Lucia, 258, 285 
Jrassachusetts, 258 
Mrs., 259, 205, 2S5 

Berkshire Hills, 168 

Bei-wind, Edward J., 50, 51, 111 

Best, I\ri-s., 50 

Bethshan, 65 

Binney, Horace, 3 

Bi.s.si(, Rev. George, 292 

" Blackbird," the, 98 

lilackburn, 286 

Blanditig, Mr., S9 



INDEX 



Blalcbford, Kichard M., 302 
Miss, 302 

Bleak House, 81 

Blenheim Castle, 316 

Blight, Mr., 51 

Bliss Hill, 191 

Bliss, Parson William, 231 

Block Island, 199 

Blockade-runners, 205 

Blue Rocks, situation, 109; haptisms, 
226 

Board of health founded, 1798, 24; 
report for 1905, 24 

Boats, 108, 109 

Boaz and Jachin, 235 

Borden, Mr., 78 

Boston in 1825, 2G; men in Newport, 
29; merchants, 22; steamboat, 29; 
Post-Boy, 104; packets, 102; boats, 
109; Coddington's journey, 133; 
bricks from, 134 ; independent, 
142; men-of-war, 144; illegal goods 
to, 148; Admiral Montagu, 149; 
tea-party, 157; vessels sent to, 160; 
naval recruits, 165; troops sent to, 
167; signals to, 169; evacuated, 
174; PaulJones at, 177; Treaty of 
Paris, 187; d'Estaign sails for, 192; 
report, 194; letter from, 199; La- 
fayette, 200; fleet, 203; beacon, 
209; coastei-s, 220; reproaches, 221 ; 
Baptists, 225 ; Dr. Callender, 229 ; 
preachers arrested, 228; lightning- 
rods, 230 ; Weekly Journal, 265 ; 
house decorations, 290 ; Stuart era- 
barks, 293; Malbone, 297 to 30G; 
old houses, 309 ; first trust, 310 ; 
Common, 327 ; Franklin, 330 ; 
Mechanics' Association, 331 ; treat- 
ment of Quakers, 332; Dr. Moiifat, 
334; Kidd, 347 

Botta, Professor, 93 
Mrs., 93 

Boundaries of Newport, 128 

Boweiy Street, 41, 50 

Bowling Gronn, 41 

Bowne, Mr., 27 



Boyle, Mayor, 219 

Boylston, Dr., pelted with stones, 26 

Bradly, Samuel, 346 

Brassee, 92 

Breakers, the, 59 

Brenton, Jaheel, 83, 135, 342 

William, Governor, 83, 87, 98, 107, 
128, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135 
Brenton's Cove, 82, 84, 101, 105, 107, 
113, 114, 130, 208 
Point, 39, 80, 81, 95, 119, 120, 175, 

176, 208, 211 
Eeef, 79, 98, 111, 117, 127, 188 
Road, 78, 87, 88, 130 
Brett, Dr. John, 343 

Mrs., 343 
Brevoort, Mrs. J. Carson, 30 
Brewer Street, 270 
Brinley, Francis, 301 
Miss, 301 
Mrs., 37 
Street, 141 
Briuley's, the, ropewalk, 45; Masonic 

rope, 46 
Bristed, Mrs. Charles Astor, 30 
Bristol, 109, 116, 153, 171, 195 

Ferry, 206 
British destructive, 74; altered ship, 
99; cruel, 100; no equivalent, 100; 
blockades, 101; a commander, 101; 
vessels fired on, 119; William and 
Mary, 119; Queen Anne, 119; dep- 
redations, 132; the flag, 137; ag- 
gressions, 142; man-of-war, 142; 
aroused enmity, 143 ; government in- 
tolerant, 143 ; protection, 145 ; hated, 
146 ; flag menaced, 147 ; destruction 
of vessel, 151; Gaspe, 151; attack 
on na\-y, 151 ; capture of officer 
and crew, 152; at Newport, 157; no 
recruits, 159 ; the "Rose," 159; fleet, 
160 ; flag, 160 ; stores, 161; speech, 
162 ; frays, 163 ; first fight, 166 ; 
unlucky captain, 166; in harbor, 
167 ; robbei-s, 172 ; encounter, 172 ; 
sails, 173 ; returns, 173 ; conflict, 
173 ; repulsed, 174 ; evacuate Bos- 



INDEX 



British (Continued) — 
ton, 174 ; concerned sailors, 175 ; 
to sea, 175 ; attack, 175 ; move, 
176; representatives, 181; capture 
of oflicei-s, ISo ; dismayed, ISG ; 
awakened, 187 ; ship foundered, 
187 ; capture a frigate, 187 ; Prov- 
idence threatened, 188 ; fleet iired, 
188; panic, ISO; destroyed, 189; 
army in traj), 189; at Newport, 190; 
General Sullivan's advance, 190 ; 
fleet in storm, 191; dislodged, 192; 
uncaptured, 192 ; battle of Rhode 
Island, 193; havoc, 209; remnants, 
210; frigate, 210; barracks, 211; 
manners, 211; Tories, 214; news- 
paper, 217; find treasure, 218; ca- 
pitulation of army, 218; privateer, 
220; fight, 220; sunk, 225; use 
churches, 229; destroy churches, 
230; after evacuation. 231 ; at New- 
port, 241; door-step's, 292; spies on, 
298; raid, 301; "liberty tree" de- 
stroyed, 314; books destroyed, 318; 
lawless, 318; arbitrators, 324; 
church, 327; quarters, 334; evacu- 
ated, 335 ; suitoi-s, 335 ; destruction, 
365; town papers, 366 

Broadlawns, 82 

Broadway, 25, 41, 141, 218, 231 

Broglie, Prince dc, 212 

Brook, Rev. C. T., 358 

Brooklyn, 301, 302 

Brooks, Mi-s. Mortimer, 63 
Mi-s. Sidney, 49 

Brown, Alexander, 31 

Fort, or the Dumplings, 118 
Mrs. Harold, 51 
Mrs. John Carter, 52, 263 
]\rrs. .Tohn Nicholas, 86, 263 

Bruce, Colonel Archibald, 179 

Brucn, Mrs., 51 

Buchanan, Captain, 352 

Buck, Mr., his dainties, 48 

Bnena Vista Avenue, 65 

Bull, Henry, 126, 215, 223 
Mary, 215, 223 



P.ull, Mr., 222 

Run, 220 

William, Surgeon, 24 
Bull's Hill, 193 
Bunker Hill, battle of, lUG, 174, 243 

Mi.ss, 47 
Buonaparte, Mrs., 33, 85 
Burden, J. Townsend, 53 

Jlr., 85 
Burgoyne, General, 186, 187, 204 
Burnyeat, John, 222 
BuiT, Aaron, 338 

Tlieodosia, 338 
Bush, the, 52 
Bushy Park, 65 
Busk, Mi-s., 78 

Bulls Hill, 185, 189, 190, 197, 211, 280 
By-the-Sca, 32, 53, 60 
Byrd, 309 
Byron, Admiral, 204 



Cadwalader, John, his place, 54 

Cahoone, Captain John, 220 

Callender, Miss Elizabeth, 32 
Rev. John, 229, 317 

Calvert, Mi-s., 30 

Calvinists, 250 

Cambridge, 20, 230 

Canipannalli, Mordecai, 234, 273 

Campbell, Colonel, 179, 198 

Canada, invasion of, 24 

Candelabra, 240 

Candles, 236 

Canonicus, 125, 126, 138, 139 

Cape Breton, 99, 100 

Capitals, two, 123 

Capture of Prescott, 1S3; American 
privateers, 184; of British ofTicers, 
185; of the "Lynn," 187; Major 
Talbot and the " Pigct," 206; Major 
Taggart, 208; "Macedonian," 220; 
"Dart," 220; raid, 229 

"Careacs" the, 191 

Careless, Thomas, 143 

Cartislo, Lord, 187, 188 

Caroline. Queen, 267 



INDEX 



Caipenter, Miss, 92 
CaiToll Avenue, 87 
Carson, Kobert, 662, 111 
Carter, Mrs. Robert, 31 

WilUam E., 91 
Casino, 19, 355; the shops of, 48; 
playground, 48; description of, 49; 
the Horseshoe, 49; the situation of, 
49 
Castle Hill, 73, 81, 95, 104, 118, 119, 
133, 176 
Avenue, 82 
Caterers, 342 
Catherine Street, 32, 338 
Catskill Mountains, 168 
Cemetery, Jews', 40, 41; starting-point, 
45; the gates, 46; donator, 46; 
condition, 244 
Cenotaph to de Tiernay, 214, 257 
Chahners, 20 
Chambers, Captain, 158 
Champlin, Christopher, 313 
Miss Peggj', 215, 217 
Mrs., 313 
Chanler, Winthrop, 57, 58, 65 
Channing, John, 254 
Miss, 289 
Mre. 332 
Walter, 251 

William Ellery, his statue, 47 ; ad- 
venture, 69 ; maiden speech, 211 ; 
recollections, 296; friends, 302; 
on Peri-y, 350 
Chapin, Colonel Seth, 205 
Charles, Cape, 218 
I., 87, 261, 266 
II., 23, 130, 225, 307 
Charleston, 20; visitors from, 42; 
packets to, 102 ; Bishop Dehon, 263 ; 
Allston and Malbone, 304; minia- 
tures, 305 
Charlotte, Queen, 337 
Chastellux, 86 

Comte de, 217 
landing of, 107, 209 
Chateau Nooga, 51 
sur Mer, fje, 52 



Chatterbox, 51 

Chazan, or Cantor, 237 

Chemical laboratories, 25 

Cheny Neck, 76, 78, 85, 88, 123, 135, 
342 
inlet, 87 

Chesapeake Bay, 218 

Chesterton, 361 

Childs, Mrs. George W., 60 

Chimney, a hiding-place, 137 

Chimneys, the, 83, 134, 135, 309 

Christmas day, 173 

Church, Benjamin, 324, 325 
Colonel Thomas, 164 
Street, 46, 216, 260, 262, 311, 355 

Churches, original, 141; occupied as 
barracks, 179 ; burned, 185 ; Bap- 
tist, 228 ; First Baptist, 23, 229 ; 
Second Baptist, 229; Central Bap- 
tist, 230; fii-st lightning-rod, 230; 
Friend Greene's sei-mon, 231 ; Con- 
gregational, 230; Seventh-Day Bap- 
tist, 231 ; Friends, 231 ; Fourth 
Baptist, 233; synagogue, 233; Solo- 
mon's Temple, 238; synagogue, 
239 ; Congregational, 246 ; Clarke 
Street Meeting-house, 249 ; funeral 
sermon, 249; Trinity, 251; de- 
structive storms, 262; Kay chapel, 
262; St. George's, 263; St. John's, 
263; Emmanuel, 263; Roman 
Catholic, 269; St. Joseph, 269; 
St. Maiy's, 270; Marlborough 
Street, 270; Mill Street, 270; First 

. Congregational, 271; St. Joseph's, 
312 

Claggett, William, 255, 288 

Clapp, Rev. Nathaniel, 229, 232, 246, 
247, 248 

Clark, Admiral, 113 
Mr., 107 

Clarke, John, doctor, founder, etc., 23 ; 
death, 23 ; signed compact, 124 
elder, 225; charter, 227 
church, 228; arrested, 228 
married, 229; physician, 229 



INDEX 



Clarke (Continued) — 

Street, 141, 211, 215, 2:J0, 233, 249, 

268 
Walter, 223, 320 
Clayton, Ann, 223 
Clews, Henry, 63; Lis Louse, 75; 

view, 76 
Clifl Avenue, 05, 00, 67 
House, 58, 65 
Walk, 59, 04, S3 
Cliffs, property on, 28, 54; tLe Walk, 

55, 91 
Clinton, General Sir Homy, 179, ISO, 

204, 208 
Clipston Grange, 67 
Clock, 255 

Clubs, Graves Point, 80 
Coal mine, 104 
Coaling station, 104 
Coasters Larbor, smallpox hospital at, 
25 
Island, naval men, 37; landed at, 
97; war college at, 104; train- 
ing-school, 104; buildings, 106; 
boat, 108; landed at, 127; his- 
tory, 127; purchased, 128; hos- 
pital, 220 
Coales, John, 288 

Miss Charlotte, 294 
Coats, A. M., 88 
Cockroach, Cuffy, 342 
Cod, Cape, 346 

Coddington, Governor William, 98, 
124, 126, 132, 133, 158, 222, 
223, 309 
Miss, 158, 215 
Coddingtoti's Cove, 179, ISS, 189, 192, 
300 
Point, 125, 132, 188, 209 
Coffin, Mrs., 30 
Coggeshall Avenue, 87 
Ledge, 63, 75, 76, 98 
William, 87, 126 
Coleman, Miss Sarah, 31 
Collard, George, 60 
Collins Beach, 81, 82 
Heni->'. 98, 310, 321 



Colonial government, 173 
ollice, 161 
troops, 169 
Columbia College, 92, 302 
" Columbus," the, 187 
Commercial line, 102 
Commissionei-s, 153, 154 
Connnittee, 210 
(,'onnnotisense Point, 206 
Ccmpton, Little, 205 
Conanicut Island, 81, 105, 106, 112, 

lis, 133, 165, 176, 189, 190, 207, 

215, 301, 307, 308, 369 
" Conanicut," the, 105 
Congi-cgational churches, 229, 231, 270, 

271 ; the first, 240 ; the second, 248, 

318; society, 250; damages, 262 
Congress, 119 
"Congress," the, 174, 187, 198, 199, 

200 
Connecticut, 136, 144, 152, 158, 101, 

108, 169, 208, 286, 298, 302, 307, 

325 
" Conqueror," the. 111 
'• Constitution," the, 113 
Continental Congress, navy, 164 ; 

army, 167 ; creates navy, 174 ; 

dismisses Hopkins, 176 ; Barton, 

thanked, 183 
Cook, Captain, 101 
Cooper, Fenimore, 152, 177 
C^openhagen, 367 
Copper, 140 
(.'oniiorant Rock, 68 
Corne, Michele Filice, 289, 290, 291 

Street, 290 
Cornell, Colonel, 185, 199, 201 
Comwallis, Lord, 218 
"Corsair," the. 111, 114 
Coudy, Jeremy, 321 
Cowley, Mrs., 210 
Craigie house, 309 
Craiio, Fort, 309 
Cramp, Edward, 53, 87 
Crane, Col., 199 
Crary, Colonel Archibald, 48 
Crawford, Alarioii, 57 



INDEX 



Crevecffiur, M. de, 97 
Cromwell, 130, 131 
Crossways, 76, 77 
Crowuinshield, Admiral, 113 
Crow's Nest, 108 
Cundall, Joseph, 35 
Cundall's Mills, 35 
Cup, Brenton Reef, 111 

races, 111, 116, 117, 118 
Curagoa, 235 
Gushing, B. M., 76 

Thomas, 49, 54, 62 
Cushmau, Miss Charlotte, 32, 93 
Custom-house, 150 
Cutting, Mrs. Francis Brockholst, 52 

Mrs. Robert Livingston, 302 

D 

Dahlgren, Mrs., 31 

Daisies, 134 

Dalton, Sir James, 285 
Sir John, 265 

Daly, Judge Charles P., 273 

Dana, Miss, 289 

Danbuiy, 168 

" Dart," the, 220 

Dartmouth, Earl of, 154 

Dates, June, 1630, 17 ; 1729, 19 
1783, 20 ; 1799, 20 ; Aug. 23, 1859, 
21 ; 1676, 23 ; 1750, 23 ; 1777, 24 
1690, 24 ; 1798, 24 ; 1792, 25 
1819, 25 ; 1873, 25 ; 1822, 25 
1824, 25 ; 1721, 26 ; 1754, 26 
1729, 27 ; 1853, 27 ; 1852, 28 
1855, 29; 1800, 29; May 31, 1834, 
29 ; 1850, 30 ; 1854, 31 ; 1860 to 
1870, 31 ; 1855, 33 ; 1850, 30 ; 1853, 
41 ; 1729, 42 ; 1850, 43 ; 1850, 44 
1797, 45; 1860, 47; 1853, 47; 1770, 
48; 1821 to 1824, 48; 1854, 49 
1840, 49; 1830, 57; 1902, 59; 1860 
and 1880, 02 ; 1826, 64 ; 1850, 65 
1812, 69 ; 1905, 80 ; 1666, 83 ; 1640, 
83 ; 1639, 87 ; 1640, 91 ; 1826, 92 : 
1001, 96 ; 1524, 96 ; 1750, 98 
1745, 99 ; 1745, 99 ; 1748, 99 
1740, 100 ; 1769, TOO ; 1768, 101 ; 



Dates (Coutinued)- 



1790, 101 

1799, 103 
1904, 108 

1812, 109 
1840, 113 
1798, 119 

1800, 120 
1789, 123 
1631, 124 

1639, 127 

1640, 128 
1660, 129 
1651, 133 
1634, 133 
1732, 1^5 
1063, 136 
1765, 143 
1769, 145 

1772, 150 

1773, 155 
1764, 157 

1774, 159 

1775, 163 

1775, 166 

1776, 173 
1776, 175 

1775, 177 

1776, 179 

1777, 182 

1778, 204 

1779, 207 
1778, 210 
1781, 214 
1781, 217 
1741, 219 

1813, 220 
1666, 222 
1705, 222 
1638, 225 
1631, 228 
1778, 229 
1634, 230 
1859, 231 
1680, 233 
1094, 235 
1763, 237 ; 



1848, 103 
1764, 104 

1800, 108 
1871, 111 
1812, 118 
1799, 119 

1801, 120 
1637, 124 

1637, 125 
1639, 128 
1641, 129 
1650, 132 
1656, 133 

1638, 133 
1715, 136 

1776, 137 

1768, 143 
1772, 147 
1772, 152 

1774, 157 
1764, 158 

1777, 160 ; 
1772, 165 

1775, 169 

1776, 173 

1777, 176 
1775, 177 

1777, 179 

1778, 188 
1778, 205 
1778, 207 
1812, 213 
1781, 215 
1781, 218 
1812, 219 
1814, 220 
1671, 222 
1698, 223 
1644, 225 
1731, 229 
1656, 229 
1820, 231 
1783, 233 ; 

1769, 234 ; 
1755, 236 
1700. 240 



1840, 103 ; 
1808, 104 
1776, 108 
1861, 113 
1775, 119 
1799, 120 
1824, 121 
1638, 124 
1666, 126 : 

1657, 128 : 
1686, 129 
1835, 133 : 

1660, 133 : 
1638, 134 

1661, 136 
1769, 141 : 
1769, 144 

1772, 149 

1773, 153 

1773, 157 
1769, 158 

1774, 162 
1772, 166 

1775, 172 

1775, 174 
1776, 177 

1776, 178 

1777, 180 

1778, 190 

1778, 206 

1779, 208 
1754, 213 

1780, 217 
1784, 219 : 
1812, 220 : 
1676, 221 
1672, 222 : 
1860, 224 

1676, 228 
1748, 229 

1677, 230 
1671, 231 
1835, 233 

1658, 234 
1759, 237; 
1765, 240 



INDEX 

Dates (Contiuuedj— ihik's (L'uiitiiuieil) — 

1770, 240 ; 1790, 2-il ; 1SS2, 241 ; 3iy ; 1S12, 31S) ; ISoo, 319 ; 1S55, 

1893, 242 ; 1894, 242 ; 1905, 242 ; 319 ; 1S5S, 320 ; lG7o, 223 ; 1675, 

1902, 242 ; 1S25, 243 ; 1S40, 244 ; 324 ; 1070, 320 ; 1001, 328 ; 1758, 

1700, 245 ; 1775, 245 ; 1720, 240 ; 329 ; 1717, 330 ; 1721, 330 ; 1724, 

1745, 240 ; 1777, 240 ; 1771, 248 ; 330 ; 1734, 330 ; 1732, 331 ; 1734, 

1783, 249 ; 1735, 249 ; 1700, 219 ; 331 ; 1702, 331 ; 1058, 332 ; 1050, 

1833, 250 ; 1725, 251 ; 109S, 251 ; :io3i 1057, 333; 1784, 348; 1773, 

1702, 251 ; 1702, 252 ; 1725, 253 ; 349 ; 1850, 344 ; 1804, 345 ; 1091, 

1770, 254 ; 1733, 255 ; 1709, 255 ; 340 ; 1093 ; 347 ; 1785, 349 ; 1799, 

1805, 255 ; 1725, 257 ; 1733, 258 ; 350 ; 1812, 350 ; 1813, 350 ; 1853, 
1731, 258 ; 1728, 259 ; 1702, 200 ; 351 ; 1853, 352 ; 1854, 352 ; 1850, 
1707, 260 ; 1704, 200 ; 1750, 200 ; 357 ; 1800, 357 ; 1825, 358 ; 1752, 
1738, 201 ; 1675, 201 ; 1815, 202 ; 358 ; 1157, 301 ; 1032, 361 ; 1830, 
1720, 262 ; 1734, 263 ; 1817, 203 ; 361 ; 1075, 302 ; 1035, 302 ; 1077, 
1833, 263 ; 1902, 263 ; 1084, 204 ; 302 ; 1750, 364 ; 1848, 364 ; 1834, 
1724, 264 ; 1728, 265 ; 1729, 205 ; 365 ; 1760, 305 ; 1750, 305 ; 1850, 
1726, 266 ; 1733, 267 ; 1753, 207 ; 305 ; 1120. 306 ; 1903, 366 

1825, 269 ; 1830, 269 ; 1837, 269 ; Dauphine, La, 96 

1850, 270 ; 1853, 270 ; 1805, 270 ; Uavis, Miss Theodosia, 32 

1806, 270 ; 1853, 270 ; 1835, 271 ; the widow, 229 
1775, 271 ; 1747, 273 ; 1714, 274 ; Theodore M., SO, 127 
1749, 274 ; 1757, 274 ; 1700, 274 ; de Barras, 214 

1770, 274 ; 1759, 270 ; 1802, 270 ; de B6ville, 213 

1803, 276 ; 1780, 277 ; 1790, 277 ; de Broglie, Prince, 210 

1758, 277 ; 1826, 279 ; 1723, 281 ; de Charles, 213 

1684, 283 ; 1800, 285 ; 1746, 285 ; de Closen, 216 

1746, 285 ; 1822, 286 ; 1750, 286 ; de Coverley, Sir Koger, 217 

1783, 287 ; 1825, 287 ; 1727, 2S8 ; d'Eslai-n, Count, ISS, 190, 192, 194, 

1749, 288 ; 1779, 288 ; 1796, 289 ; 199 

1800, 289 ; 1809, 289 ; 1830, 2S9 ; d'Estouches, 214 

1843, 289 ; 1822, 290 ; 1845, 291 ; do Fayette, Chevalier, 261 

1755, 292 ; 1756, 292 ; 1770, 293 ; de Forest, George, 54 

1772, 293 ; 1777, 294 ; 1786, 294 ; de .Tongh, Jliss, 37 

1792, 294 ; 1794, 295 ; 1700, 298 ; de Lamath, 216 

1744, 298 ; 1838, 298 ; 1740, 300 ; de la Touche, 216 

1745, 300 ; 1706, 300 ; 1777, 303 ; de Lombard, Chevalier, 213 
1796, 303 ; 1800, 304 ; ISOl, 304 ; de Noailles, Comte, 335 

1801, 305 ; 1802, 305 ; 1803, 300 ; de Klinin, Casiiner, 29 

1805, 300 ; 1042, 308 ; 1780,309; Heni-j', 28; tnwn house, 29; 

1813, 310 ; 1754, 310 ; 1761, 310 ; dinneiv, 29 

1793 310 • 1708, 311 ; 1905, 311 ; de Rochambeau, Comte, arrival, 119 ; 

1739 312 • 1772, 312 ; 1770, 312 ; in command, 189 ; his miifT, 189 ; 

1765', 314 ; 1783, 314 ; 1782, 314 ; histoiy, 211 ; review, 212 ; bead- 

1788, 314 ; 1747, 315 ; 1728, 316 ; quailers, 215 ; parade, 216 ; ball, 

174?' 310, .317 ; 1733, 317 ; 1755, 217 ; Mars, 268 : cook, 345 

318 ; 1788, 318 ; 1810, 318 ; 1813, de Seirur, 217. 314 



INDEX 



de Tiernay, Chevalier, 212, 257, 309 

de Tousard, Major, trees, 89 ; sui-vey 
by, 108; employed, 119; history, 
119; letter, 120; report, 120; fete, 
212; headquarters, 213; death, 213; 
at Fort Adams, 269 

de Vaughan, Comte, 216 

de Viomesnil, 216, 217 

de Warville, Brissot, 314 

de Wolf, James, 301 

Decatur, Commodore, 220 

Declaration of Independence, 137, 178, 
312 

Dedford, 180 

Dehon, Bishop, 263 

Delaware River, 168 

Derby, General, 290 
Mrs. Richard, 137 
Richard, 27 

Devil's Chasm, 69 

Dialects, 344 

" Diamond," the, 180 

Dickey, Mrs. Hugh, 33, 86 

Dino, Duchess de, 50 

Division Street, 233, 344 

Dixon Street, 50 

Dolan, Clarence, 75 

Dorchester Heights, 168 

Dorr rebellion, 220 

Drexel, John R., 28, 59 

Drogheda, 361 

Duddingston, William, tyrant, 147 ; 
pirate, 147 ; letter from Governor 
Wanton, 148 ; historical facts, 149 ; 
aggressions, 150; sleeping captain 
and crew, 151 ; stoned, 152 ; couii- 
niartialled, 153 ; his equal, 159 

Dudley, Lieutenant, 206 

Dudley house, 193 

Duer, Lieutenant John King, 351, 352 

Dulles, Mrs. Andrew, 91 

Diunpling, Fort, 83, 95, 104, 100, 118 

Dnnlop, William, 284, 280 

Dunn, Mrs. Thomas, 336 

Durfee, Mrs., 35 

Dui-yea, Mr., 84 

Dutch colonies, l.SS, 100 



Dutch Island, 128 

Duval, 212 

Dwight, Timothy, 285 

Dyer, Captain, 183 
EUsha, 51 
Mary, 327, 332 
William, 126, 327 



East River, 184, 205 

road, 189, 196, 310 
Easter morning sun-worship. 



226, 



Easton, John, 127, 128, 223 
Nicholas, 55, 127, 132, 223 
Peter, 127, 128, 362 
Easton's Beach, 19; drive to, 44; road, 
57; excursionists, 64; trees of, 
65; sun-worship, 66; wreck, 98; 
bathing, 109; redoubt, 195; 
Easter morning, 226 
Point, 55, 66, 98, 223 
Pond, 64, 194 
Edgerston, 85 
Edmonson, William, 222 
Edna Villa, 50 
Edward VII., 161 
Elam, Samuel, 310, 315 
Eldridge, Mr., 28, 93 
" Electra," the. 111, 114 
EUei-y, Madha Redwood, 313 

William, 254, 332 
Elliot, Colonel, 174, 183 
Ellis, Mr., 53 
Elm Court, 50 
Emmanuel Church, 263 
Emmons, Mr. A. B., 64 
Empire State, the, 103 
" Endeavor," the, 101 
Endicott, Governor, 134, 328, 333 
England, charter from, 23 ; seal from, 
129 ; Winthrop sails for, 136 ; in- 
dependent of, 142 ; her treatment of 
colonists, 142 ; dispatches to, 144 ; 
Burgoyne returns to, 187 ; at odds, 
100 ; admiral, 161 ; tlie Stuarts, 
161 ; Howe returns to, 204 



INDEX 



English sailors, lortiuvs by, 151 
tyrants, 155 
vessels, 45 ; Hect, 179 

Englishmen, 124, 120, 133, 140, 159, 
162, 165, 175, 179 

Ennis, Colonel, ISO 

Enterprises, 133 

Entertainments, Mr. McAllister's, 34 ; 
fetes, 36; Dutch colony, 37; excur- 
sions, 109 ; cup races, 111 ; men-of- 
war, 112 ; yachts, 115 ; opening 
Fort Adams, 120; the first, 130; 
Indian, 140 ; reception of French, 
211; fete of St. Louis, 212; for 
Washington, 215 ; reception, 216 ; 
ball, 217 ; dinner, 216 ; Awashonks, 
324 ; pow-wow, 325 

Episcopalians, 250, 251, 268 

Erasmus, Dr., 229 

Eric, Red, 96 

Erie, Lake, 338, 350 

Esopus, 160 

Es.sex, Museum, 290 

Estates, great, 132, 133, 134, 135 

Eustis, Mi-s., 65 

Evangeline, 100 

Everett, Edward, 351 

Excursions, 109 

dinners and dances, 358 

Explorers, Dutch, 126 



Factories, first, 108 ; sperui-oil, 141 
Fahnestock, Gibson, 85 
Fairchild, Major, 301 
Fairfield, 208 
" Falcon," the, 188 
Fall River, 109 
Fanning, Colonel, ISO 
Farewell Street, 12S, 222, 230, 314 
Fearing, Ex-Mayor Daniel H., 67, 9:: 
219, 302 

George Richmond, 92 

Miss Charlotte, her phaeton, 33 
Federals, 178 
Feke, Charies, 25, 47, 285, 286 

R.. 285 



Fonncr, Arthur, 326 
l<'enwick, Bishop, 269 
Fern, Fanny, 358 
h'erry Wharf, 259 

Fight, street, 144 ; on island, ISO ; at 
CoddiM;,'loirs Cove, ISS ; between 
lleets, IS9 ; French and British 
ships, 191 
Fillmore, I'resideut Millard, 351 
First shot, 145 
Fish, Stuyvesant, 76, 87 

Mrs., 76 
Filch, Governor Thomas, 158 
Flag, finst, 136; histoiy of, 137 

Captain I'eriy'.s, 339 
Fleet, American, 174, 175, 176, 179, 
188, ISO, 220, 351 
British, 190, 191, 195, 199, 201, 

205, 207, 218, 220, 334 
French, 99, 189, 190, 191, 192, 
194, 199, 203, 210, 212, 214, 21.5, 
216, 218, 268 
Fletcher, Miuy, 229 
Kleury, Colonel, 196, 198 
" Flora," the, 188, 189, 210 
Flowers, 134 
Flushing, 306 
Fo'castlo, 79 

Fogland Feny, 185, 205, 206 
Forster, John, 259 
Forsyth, Mrs. Russell, 37 
Fort Adams, 29, 59 ; situation, 84 ; 
on harbor, 88; trees, 88; Major de 
Tousard, 88 ; gray walls, 106 ; to 
reach, 107 ; battery, 175 
Fortifications, 118, 119, 213 
Forty steps, 58, 89 
Koteux, 217 
Fountain, 41 
Fox, George, 222 
France, Huguenots, 161 ; vessel sent 

to, 189 
Francis, Dr., 33 
Francjois I., 96 

Franklin, Benjamin, electricity, 25 ; 
letter of, 162; old press, 229; 
li-dituinsr-rods, 2.30; a friend. 



INDEX 



Franklin, Benjamin (Continned) — 

2S8; diaries, 330; a visitor to 
Newport, 331 
James, 288, 330, 331 
John, 217, 288, 330 
Mre. James, 331 
Robert S., 219, 271 
Street, 313, 318 
" Franklin," the, 103 
Freemasons, the rope, 46 ; language, 
239 ; marks, 239 ; histoiy, 273 ; R. 
S. Franklin's address, 219 ; New 
York, 274 ; Colonel Neill, 274 ; pat- 
rons, 275 ; liquids, 275 ; Newport 
organization, 275 ; lodge, 275 ; char- 
ter, 276 ; recognition, 276 ; temple, 

276 ; furniture, 276 ; cable-tow, 
280; King David's lodge, 277; 
Washington, 277 ; Scottish Rite, 

277 ; Mystic signs and words, 277 ; 
traditions, 288 ; Kabbalah, 278 ; 
William Morgan, 279 ; Masonic hall, 
279 ; Old Tower, 280 ; rhymes, 281 ; 
toasts, 281 

Freemasons' Arms, 275 
Fremont House, 30 ; situation of, 41 
French, 96 ; fleet, 99 ; engineer, 108 ; 
war, 142 ; arrival of fleet, 188 ; 
jealousy, 190 ; reception of, 
211; gi-and entertainment of, 
212 ; defences, 213 ; procession, 
216 ; dinner, 216 ; ball, 216 ; 
servants, 216 ; aides, 216 ; 
newspaper, 217 ; taste, 217 ; on 
transports, 218 ; cenotaph, 257 ; 
at Newport, 335 
Mrs. F. 0., 86, 107 
Friends, 17 
Friendship Street, 25 
Fiigates, first American, 108 ; fight, 
143 ; English, 145 ; in bay, 180 ; the 
"Columbus," 187; French, 188; 
burned, 189; the "Flora," 210; the 
" United States," 220 ; the " Macedo- 
nian," 220 
Fry, John, 184 
Funeral of de Ticrnay, 213 



Gage, General, 143, 144 

Mrs., 144 
Gaillard, 20 
Gallatin, James, 92 
Gambrill, Mrs., 52 
Gammell, R. S., 58, 07, 92 

William, 58, 67 
Gardiner, Lyon, 347 
Gardiner's Bay, 144, 218 
Island, 286, 346, 347 
Gardner, Caleb, 343, 344 
Herodias, 332 
Newport, 343 
Garretson, Frederic, 48, 219, 313, 364 
Garrison on Hudson, 28 
Gaspe Point, 157 

"Gaspe," the, stoned, 101; fight, 113; 
in bay, 145 ; intimidation, 147 ; the 
letter, 149 ; trapped, 150 ; attacked, 
151 ; illegal seizures, 152 ; burnt, 
153 ; investigations, 154 ; after- 
wards, 157 ; her follower, 159 ; 
Wallace's letter to Whipple, 165 ; 
first gun, 166 ; meeting, 312 
Gates, General, 205 • 
Gazette, the Newport, 180, 210, 217 
" General Greene," the frigate, 350 
Geutil, Mrs. Theodore, 30 
George II., 249 

III., 149, 161, 164, 229 
IV., 319 

Fort, 119 ; regiment at, 145 ; re- 
paired, 159 ; stores at, 162 ; 
dismantled, 163 ; abandoned, 
167 ; rebuilt, 175 ; salute from, 
212 
Germany, 161 

Geny, Elbridge, 63, 111, 114 
Gertrude, 184, 204 
Ghee, 29, 35 
Gibbs Avenue, 64 

& Channing, 101, 108 
Governor William C, 48, 313. 364 
Major Theodore, 65 
Professor Wolcott, 64 



INDliX 



Gibert, the Jlisscs, 54 

Gillis, Lieutenant, 352 

" Glasgow," the, 175 

Glasser, JIi-s., 165 

Glover, General, 193, 190, 1U9 

Glyn, Mrs., 52, 336 

Goat Island, wreck on, 101 ; govern- 
ment station, 103 ; boats, 105 ; 
strait, 107 ; no water, lOS ; historic 
incidents, 108 ; squadron, 112 ; an- 
chorage, 115; yachts, 116; fortified, 
119 ; names, 119 ; salute from, 120 ; 
purchase, 132; stock, 170; picnics, 
342 

Goelet cup-races, 112, 116 
IMiss, 62 
Mrs. Ogdcn, 58 
Mrs. Robert, 58, 91, 111 

Gofe cottage, 31 

Gold-mine, 92 

Golden Age, 102 

Golf Club, 82, 356 

Goodwin, Miss, .'!5S 
Professor, 358 

Gooseberrj' Island, 64, 76, 78, 348, 356 

Goose-Neck, 78 

Gorahama, 352 



Gould Island, 106, 189 

J. Stanton, 231 
Gould's Hill, 179 
Government station, 106, 113 
Governor Gerrard, 102 
Gracie, Archibald, merchant, 28 
Granby, Marquis of, 185 
Grand-d'Hauteville, 52 
Grand Duke, the, 188 
Grant, General, geraniums named 

after, 52 
Graves Point, SO, .356 
Great Britain, 160 
Green End, 62, 228, 231, 266 
Greene, Fort, 52 ; creeled, 108 ; 
named, 176 ; repaired, 219 
Nathaniel, his visitors, 48; ves.sel 
named, 108; in command, 164; 
verses on, 164; commended in 



Greene, Nathaniel (t'ontinucd) — 

despatches, .199; son of, 231, 
232, 233, 313 
Grenadiers, 185 
Griffin, Benjamin, 363 

Miss JIary, 338 
Grimes, Colonel, 174 
Griinkes, 20 

Griswold, John N. A., residence of, 47 
Grosvenor, Jliss Kosa, 84, 88 

William, 84, 88 
Gull l?ock, 68 
Gunboats, 170 



Hague, Jlrs. Arnold, 82 
llaiidon Avenue, 8ti 

Hill, pioneer settlers, 33 ; situa- 
tion, 107; \'iew from, 114 
Hall, John, 225 
Martin, 301 
Prescott, 28, 301, 302 
Samuel, 331 
Hammersmith, 27; price of, 29; the 
great estate, 74; histoiy, 78; origin, 
83; Governor Brenton, 83; owner, 
S3, 109; site, 87; boundaries, 130; 
entertainment at, 130; purchase, 

133 ; situation, 133 ; description of, 

134 ; improvements, 133 ; reasons. 
108 ; noteworthy, 299 ; home, 317 ; 
cook, 342 

Hammond, James, 320 
'■ Hampden," the, 177 
Hancock, Governor, 290 
Ilandeock, John, 309 

Miss, 265, 283, 284 
Handy, Major John. 178, 312 
Hanging Rocks, 70. 270 
"Hannah," the, 1.50, 151 
H<".nover, House of, 161 
Harbor view, 86 
Hare, fii-st catch, 165 

]\Irs., 336 
Harges, John, 228 
Harlem Heights, 164 
Harper's Afagaziue, 365 



INDEX 



Harrison Avenue, 82, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 

house, 85 

Peter, 237, 310 
Hart, Naphtali, 357 
Harte, Bret, 358 
Hartshorn estate, 107 
Harvard College, 229, 289, 320 
Havemeyer, Mr. Theodore, 87 

Mrs. Theodore, 53 
Haven, Mrs. George Griswold, 90 
" Hawk," the, 206, 207 
Hayden, Captain William, 101 
Hays, 245 

Moses Michael, 277, 278 
Hazard Avenue, 52, 87 

Captain John Alfred, 25, 77 

George, 219 

house, 213 

Mrs., 77 
Hazlehurst, Mrs., 31 
Heath, General, 212 
HeU Gate, 103 
Helm, Lieutenant, 207 
Henning, Mr., 336 
Heno, 180 
Henry, Cape, 218 
Herald, Newport, 366 
" Hermione," the, 211 
Hesse Darmstadt or Hessian troops, 
88 ; beaten, 164 ; at Newport, 180 ; 
foraging, 180; ofBcers spied upon, 
184 ; stationed, 185 ; retreat, 185 ; 
at Quaker Hill, 197 ; Hessian storm, 
204 ; manners, 211 
Higginson, Admiral, 113 

Colonel, 358 
High Street, 262, 343 
Hill, Dav-id, 147 
Hilltop, its occupants, 46 

people, 302 
"Hind," the, 145 
Historical Society, 219, 224 
Hobson's Hole, 71 
Hoffman, Charies F., 83 
Holden, Randall, 326 
Holland, Dr. J. G., 358 
Holmes, 228 . , 



Home week, 21 

for destitute children, 213 
Hone, Miss Margaret, 30 

Philip, visitor, 29; his diary, 30; 
Dinner Club, 302 
Honyman, James, Jr., 320 
Miss, 261 
Mrs., 261 

Rev. James, 70, 232, 251, 252, 259, 
260, 266, 311 
Honyman's Hill, 65, 70, 191, 362, 365 
Hooker, William, 299 
Hopkins, Dr., 84, 248, 249, 271, 343 

Esek, 174, 175, 176 
Hopkinsonians, 84, 250 
Horsmanden, Chief Justice, 154 
Hospital, smallpox, 25; the Newport, 
incorporated, 25; its scope and en- 
dowments, 25; Rocky Farm, 77 ; 
at Coasters Island, 220 ; in State- 
house, 269 
Hospitality, 135 
Hotels, 30, 41, 113 
Hottinguer, Baron, 319 
" Hours," the, 304 
Howe, General Lord, 190, 199, 203, 204 

Mrs. Julia Ward, 93, 358 
Hubbard, Mr., 270 

Hudson River, steamboat, 30 ; yachts, 
111; Esopus on, 160; "Vulture" in, 
164 ; beacons, 168 
Hugers, 304 
Hug-uenots, 161 

Hunt, William H., his house, 46 
Hunter, Captain Charles, 336 
Miss Anna, 336 
Mre., 215, 301, 309 
Mrs. William, 336 
William, 23, 24, 52, 109, 292, 301, 
318, 319 
Huntington, S. E., 82 
Button, G. M., 82 
Hj-perion, 158, 333 



Icelandic scrolls, 367 
Inchquin, 54 



INDEX 



Indian Avenue, 70 

Spring, 79 
" Indiana," the, 59 

Indians, 39 ; name, GS ; tradilion, G9 ; 
track, 82 ; sale of lands, S3 ; of 
America, 96 ; forts, 118 ; sell birth- 
right, 125; Nantygansicks, 120; 
village, 127; wigwam, 128; land, 
purchased, 128 ; challenge, 129 ; de- 
sign on seal, 129 ; islands bought, 
132 ; war, 134 ; scorn, 13G ; work, 
137 ; reward, 13S ; trick, 13S ; Nar- 
ragansett, 135 ; histoi-y, 139 ; gam- 
bling, 140 ; dice, 140 ; industries, 
140 ; land purchased from, 160 ; 
trail, 168; Oneida, 212; types, 
284; Dr. Johnson, 294; chiefs, 
322; queen, 323; dress, 323; 
names, 323 ; squaw, 324 ; entertain- 
ments, 324 ; war dance, 324 ; at- 
tack, 325 ; war, 325 ; feast, 325 ; 
powerless, 326 

Industries, 137, 138, 139, 141 

Infantrj', Newport Light, 159 

Ingei-soll, Harrj', 62 

Inhabitants, 141 

Inoculation parties, 25; favored, 26 

Insomnia, cure for, 22 

Ireland, 294, 359. 361 

Isaacs, Jacob, 357 

Iselin, Columbus, 112 
Oliver, 112 
Mrs. William. 86 

Isle of Rhodes, 126 

Italy, 284, 289 

Izard. Jlrs. Ralfe, 30 



Jackson, Colonel, 196 
Jacobs, Dr. Hcnrj- Bartoi 
Jamaica, 19 
James, Court of St., 194 

Mr., 285 
Jamestown, 105, 116 
Japan, 351, 3.52 
Japanese maples, .52 

roses, SO 



.lay, Mrs. Augustus, 28 

Jefferson, Thomas, 178 

Jeffrey Hoad, 76, 87, 261 
William, 87, 261, 299 

Jenkins, Robert, 274 

Jennings, Mrs. Oliver, 54 

Jew Street, 41, 260 

Jews, 17, 97 ; Portuguese, 141 ; shel- 
tered, 142, 221 ; welcome French, 
190 ; in army, 190 ; rabbi, 232 ; 
oldest, 2.33 ; fii-st in America, 234 ; 
outcasts, 235 ; introduce sperm 
candles, 236 ; congregation, 236 ; 
acces.sion, 236 ; notable men, 237 ; 
chazan, 237; synagogue, 237; ai-k, 

237 ; western or eastern position, 

238 ; woi-ship, 238 ; JIa.sonie rites, 
238; decoration of synagogue, 239; 
ovens, 239 ; scrolls of law, 239 ; 
synagogue closed, 240 ; founders, 
240 ; presents, 240 ; customs, 240 ; 
honest, 240 ; contentions, 240 ; fled 
I)efore enemy, 241 ; supported 
American cause, 241 ; liberal, 241 ; 
religious buildings, 241 ; synagogue 
closed, 241 ; first synagogue, 241 ; 
Abraham Mendes, 242 ; charter, 
242 ; residents, 242 ; societies, 242 ; 
original congregation, 242 ; wedding, 
242 ; noteworthy persons, 243 ; gen- 
enerous Judah Touro, 244 ; the 
rhyme, 244 ; New Orleans street, 
244 ; spermaceti, 244 ; syndicate, 
244 ; Redwood Libia ly, 244 ; tower, 
244; old families, 245; descendants, 
245; honesty, 245; dinner, 246; 
in Newjiort, 250 ; harmonious, 268 ; 
merchants, 273 ; Jews in America, 
273; fo\indei-s of the library, 316; 
women. 327 ; club, 3.57 

John, St., the evangelist, 275 
.Tohnson, Dr. Samuel, 274 
Johnston, K.)l)ert, 57 

John Paul, 177 

Miss C. O., 59 

Mrs. George, 33, 85 

:\irs. T.<'wis. 5L no 



3S,5 



INDEX 



Johnston (Continued) — 
Mrs. M. M., 33, 86 
Jones, Inigo, 361 
Joseph, St., 312 
" Josephine," the, 115 
Judith Point, 79, 95, 168, 169, 175, 187, 

190, 207, 210, 262 
"Juno," the, 180 

K 

Kabbalah, 278 

Kane, de Lancey, 28, 65 

de Lancey Astor, 28, 89, 90 

Mrs. de Lancey Astor, 50, 90 

Woodbui-y, 28, 51 
Karigel, Haym Isaac, 237 
Kay Chapel, 262 

Miss, 45 

Nathaniel, custom inspector, 45 ; 
vesti-yman, 45, 262; home, 46; 
tombstone, 258; donations, 263; 
churchyard, 285; school, 292 

Street, 45, 141, 243, 276, 280 
Keeler, Captain, 154, 156 
Kemble, Miss, 144 
Kemp, Arthur, 107 
Kennedy, James, 319 
Kernochan, Mrs. James, 60 
Keteltas, Miss, 52 
Kidd, Captain William, 253, 313, 346, 

347 
King, Charles, 302 

Charles B., 287 

David, 25 

house, 313 

Mrs. Arhchibald Oracle, 30 

Mrs. Le Roy, 50 

park, 107 

Rufus. 193, 194, 302 

Samuel, 286, 287, 289 
"Kingfisher," the, 145, 189 
Kingscote, 49 
Kingston, 215, 291 
Kirin, 112 

Klingender, Captain, 184 
Knight, Edward C, Jr., 54 
Knox, General, .358 



Kosciusko, Thaddeus, 48 
Kuhn, Mrs., 37 



Lafayette, Marquis of, visitor, 48 ; at 
Honymau's Hill, 70 ; report of, 
119 ; an-ival, 200 ; station, 203 ; his 
aide, 261 ; portrait, 287 
Lake Erie, battle of, 24 
Lakeview Avenue, 54 
Landscraft, 180 
Land's End, 63 
Lane, Professor, 358 
Langdon, Mrs. John, 193 
" Lark," the, 180 
Laurens, Colonel, 196, 198, 201 
Lauzan, 216 
Lawntield, 85 
Lawi-ence, Amos, 244 

Archibald Gracie, 69 

Governor Beach, 28, 59, 69, 93, 357 

Mrs., 338 

Mrs. Abbott, 31 

Prescott, 50 

Sir Thomas, 303 

Walter Bowne, 306 
Laws, 131, 141 
Lawton, Benjamin, 314 

Miss Polly, 215 
Leary, Miss, 47 
Lebanon, 183 
Lechford, 128 
Ledge Road, 54 
Ledges, the, 76 
Ledyard, Lewis Ca.ss, 82 
Lee, General, 173, 183 
Leghorn, 264 
Leif, the Lucky, 96 
L'Enfant, Major, 119 
Lenox, 67 
Le Roy, Mrs., 49 
Lesser Britain, King of, 133 
Lettei-s from Plymouth Colony, 136 ; 
from Washington, 20; Horeman- 
den, 154; Franklin, 162; Wallace, 
165; Whipple, 165; Washington, 
199, 203; P. V. B. Livingston, 254; 



INDEX 



Lcttei-s (Continued) — 

organ, 2oS; Berkeley, 2G5; New- 
port, 338 
Lcutliall, Kohert, 128 
Levin Street, 270 
Levy, Moses, 212, 357 
Lewis, Ida, So 
Lexington, battle of, 152 ; Navy, 163 ; 

Quakere, 167 
" Lexington," the, 103 
" Liberty," the sloop, 101 ; commauder, 

144 ; fight, 145 
Library, free, 321 

Redwood, situation, 41 ; tree, 
46, 57; hisloiy, 47; pictures, 
ISl; Jews' contribution, 244; 
librarian, 249 ; portraits, 287 ; 
Stuart's portraits, 293 ; stone, 
310; founded, 315; donors, 316; 
architect, 316; enlarged, 316; 
books, 316; fii-st president, 317; 
vandal British, 318; property, 
319; patrons, 319; parent, 320 
Lightning-rods, first use of, 230 
Lily Pond, 74, 76, 77, 87 
Lime Rock, 85, 107, 130 
Lindsay, Captain, 150 
Lippitt, Governor, 64, 75 
Lisbon, 236, 244 
Little Compton, 208 
Livingston, Colonel Heniy Brockliolst, 
196, 198 
Governor William, 333 
Manor, 111 
Mrs. Herman, 58 
Peter Yan Briigh, 254 
" Lizard," the, 146 
Dockyer, Captain, 157 

Rev. Mr., 251 
Ivodge, King David's, 275, 277, 280 
of Free and Accepted Masons, 

274 
St. John's, 274, 275 
London, 141, 274, 293, 301 
" London," the, 1.58, 225 
Longfellow, Heniy W., 81, 99, 100, 
224, 213, 328, .367 



Long Island, battle of, 164; cape, 346; 
mills, 363 
Sound, 102, 111,144,168,169 

Wharf, 179, ISS, 211, 215, 235, 
263, 303 
Lopez, Aaron, 97, 108, 235, 236, 240, 
243. 244, 245 

Moses, 213. 244, 316, .357 

Wharf, 245 
Lords of Trade, 153 
Ijorillard, Louis, 93 
Lo.ssing, Benjamin, 160, .364 
Lotteries, 311 
Louis XV., 121 

XVI., 121 
Louisburg, 99 
Love Lane, 65 
LovcU, Major General, 199 
Ludlow, Kdward L., 85 
Lynn, Massachusetts, 228 
" Lynn," the, 187 
" Lysistrata," the. 111 

M 

MacKay, 301 

Macomb, Major Alexander, 34 
Magnalia, 235 
" Magnolia," the, 59 
" Maidstone," the, 143 
Maine, State of, 103 
Mailland, Robert, .32, 109 
Malbone, Edward (!., 2S7, 297, 303, 
304, 305, 306 
Francis, 302 

Godfrey, his estate, 27; site, 28; 
owned Ochre Point, 92; extrav- 
agance, 98; his privaleersmen, 
100; the arti.st, 297; estate, 
298 ; house, 298 ; noteworthy 
house, 299; gardens, 299; 
Newport house, 300; hospita- 
ble, 300; fire, 300; house. .310 
house, .302 
.lohn, 297 
Miss, 301 
M,-s„ .301 
Thomas, .301 



INDEX 



Mall, the, 41, 100, 141, 213 
Maltzbui-y, Captain, 184 
Manchester, Duchess of, 62 
Manhattan, 125 
Manigault, 304 
Marble house, 53, 57 
Marchant Street, 89 
" Marietta," the, 111 
Marine Avenue, 60 

Society, 358 
Marlborough, Duchess of, 62 

Duke of, 316 

Street, 133, 230 
Marranos, 236 
Marsh, Colonel, 179 
Martin, Major, 213 
Maiy Street, 45, 135, 141, 211, 213, 

215, 216, 269, 302, 313 
Mason, Benjamin, 24 

G. C, 217, 239, 277, 302 

Miss Ellen, 65 

Mr., 27 

the Misses, 28 
Masonic rites, 238 

Massachusetts Colony, 17, 25, 124, 131, 
134, 155, 158, 210, 223, 228, 234, 289, 
322, 325, 327, 332, 359 
" Massachusetts," the, 59 
Massasoit, 322 
Mather, Cotton, 235 
Matthews, Lieutenant, 352 
]\rattison, Dr., estate of, 28 

Dr. Richard V., 65 
" May," the, 115 
Mayfield, 52 
Mayors, 219 

McAllister, Ward, 34; cotillon din- 
ners, 34; his book, 36; to introduce 
a girl, 36 ; arena, 49 
McCllellan, Mrs. George, 336 
McSpan-an, Rev. Mr., 292 
Meatacom, 322, 324, 325 
Medical lectures, first, 23 ; literature, 
25 

school, 23 
Mediten-anean Sea, 68 
Mellifont A!)bey, 36 



Mendes, Abraham, 242 

Mendez, 234 

Mercer, Dr., 29 

Merchants, 102, 145, 147 

" Mercury," the, 145, 156 

Mercury, the Newport, 41, ISO, 210, 

217, 250, 329, 331 
Meriam, Mr., curate, 69 
Men-ill, Mr., 51 
Merton A\enue, 66 
Meteor, 351 

Methodists, 46, 270, 327, 343 
Metropolis, 103 
Miantomoni, 125, 126 

Hill, or Tomony, 28, 118, 119, 125, 
139, 168, 192, 195, 297, 321 
Midas, 62, 300 
Midcliff, 59 
Middleton, Mr., long life, 20 ; pn^p- 

erty owner, 29 ; his home, 49 
Middletons, 304 
Middletown, 41, 220 
Mile Comer, 41 

Mill Street, 47, 270, 290, 313, 364 
Miller, William Stan-, 76, 87 
Mills, Ogden, 54, 62 
Mintus, 344 
Minyan, 241 

" Mississipi^i," the, 351, 352 
Mitchell, Dr. Weir, 358 

Miss Maria, 358 
Mob, 151 
Moffat, John, 285 

Thomas, first lectures, 23, 285, 334 
Monroe, James, 304 
Montagu, Admiral, 149, 156 
Montauk Point, 168, 169, 176, 210, 

218, 346, 347 
Monteceto, 112 
Moore, Miss Theresa, 30 
Moravians, 251 
Mordeeai, the Misses, 245 
Morgan, E. D., 84, 107 

J. Pierpont, 111, 114, 356 
Randall, 115 
William, 279 
Mon-ell, Edward, 28, 32, 73 



INDEX 



Mon-is, G. P., 333 

Lieutenant, 352 

Major, 200 
Momstowu, 144 
Moi-se, E. Rollins, 51, 'JO 

Mrs., 51 
Mottoes, 129, 2IS 
Mount Hope, 205, 322 
Mt. Vernon Street, 269 
Muencliinger, Amanda, 40 
Muuiford House, 213 

Joseph, 365 

Peter, 301 

Thomas, 314 

William, 261 
Muuro, Major Nathan, ISti 
Mun-ay, Mr., 79 
Myers, Naphtali Ilarl, 240 

N 

" Nalinia," the, 111 

Name, 126 

Namumpuni, 322, 323, 324, 325, 320 

" Nancy," the, 157 

Nanicut, 157 

Nantucket, 207, 235, 310 

Narragansctt Avenue, 30, 51, 58, 89, 
90 
Bay, 17, IS; the shores of, 39; 
entrance to, 81 ; demesne on, 
S2 ; view of, 88 ; safe, 95 ; ex- 
plored, 96 ; its names, 96 ; 
blockaded, 100 ; vessels, 104 ; 
cruising ground, 105; defences 
of, 118; surroundings of, 123; 
Tomony Hill, 120 ; explored, 
127 ; roses, 127 ; Breuton's pur- 
chase, 133 ; Indian battle, 139 ; 
flourishing settlements, 141 ; 
men-of-war, 144 ; English ves- 
sels, 145; the " Ga.spe" and the 
"Beaver," 147; molestations. 
149; Captain Lindsay, 150; 
Duddingston, 153; " Spywood," 
156; "Rose," 159; Wallace in. 
105, 166; farms on, 167; de- 
fenceless, 170; no jiilots, 170; 



Nanagansett Bay (Continued) — 

infant navy, 175; free from 
enemy, 176; blockade-runnei-s, 
205; lights in, 207; hostile 
Heel, 210; the Quakers, 221; 
trade in, 241; arrival of Berke- 
ley, 259; St. Paul's church, 
292; Roome's house, 30S; 
pirates, 346; concealed tieasurc, 
340; Peny, 349; entrance, 309; 
Indians, 322 
Pier, 79, 109 
Naval Academy, 118 
apprentices, 127 
histoi-y, 177 
War College, 127 
Navy, secrelarj- of, 103; first vessels, 
lOS; squadron, 112; four thousand 
enli.stcd, 164; first fight, 166; de- 
mand for, 170; fii-st ships, 174; 
Conuuander Hopkins, 174; active, 
175; di.sastei-s, 176; crippled, 176; 
John Paul Jones, 177; expeditions, 
177; naval hi.stoiy, 177; Alidship- 
nian Peny, 349 
Negroes from Africa, 137; account of, 
341; ceremonies, 345; New Orleans, 
244 
Negro's Head. 70 
Neill, Colonel Edward, 274 

Mi-s. Edward, 37 
Xeilson, Jlr., 79 
Netherlands, 178 
Netop? What cheer, 17 
New Amsterdam, 161 



I'.cdford, 101. 20: 


". 2: 


i5, 335 




England, ti 


■ees ii 


1, ri 


i2 ; condil 


ion, 


155; PHi 


uer, '. 


MO ; 


Salem, ! 


290; 


Courant, 


330 








Hampshire. 


193 








Jei-sey, 140. 


1 14. 


l.'.s, 


IGl, KiS, 


109 


lights, 251 











York, IS; merchants, 22; vi.sitors 
from, 28; hmdownei-s in New- 
port, 29; .Mayor of. 29; bacli- 
elor, 51; Miss Keteltas of, 52; 
Mr. Slurgis of. 07; Bishop of, 



INDEX 



New York (Continued) — 

75; Mrs. Jones of, 86; packets 
to, 102; Peck Slip, 102; har- 
bor, 102; Yacht Club, 105; pas- 
sengere from, 109; races, 116; 
independent, 142 ; men-of-war 
to, 144; "Hannah" from, 150; 
Colonial document, 154; tea- 
party, 157; laws, 158; Dutch 
of, 160; not submissive, 161; 
battle, 164; beacons, 168; 
signals to, 169; fleet to, 174; 
ship for, 177; aid from, 178; 
Newport regiments at, 187; 
Lord Howe, 203; brig for, 207; 
raid from, 208; signal to, 209; 
evacuation, 218; coasters, 220; 
Quakers, 224 ; Ph-eemasons, 
274; Trinity Church, 279; 
Gilbert Stuart, 294; Prescott 
Hall, 301; Mrs. Cutting, 302; 
Philip Hone, Mayor, 302; 
Mayor and Mrs. Bowne, 306; 
New Amsterdam, 308; tours, 
309; tea, 333; ship chandler, 
337; Miss Bun-, 338; sanitary 
fair, 339; dialect, 345; Captain 
Kidd, 346; merchant vessel, 347 
Newmans, the Miss, 32 
Newport, weather, 18; invalid re- 
sort, 19, 20; comforts, 21; police, 
21 ; fire department, 21 ; grand fete, 
21; for children, 23; inhabitants 
long lived, 23; Medical School, 23; 
physician founded, 23; celebrated 
doctors, 24; board of health, 24; 
Asylum, 25; smallpox hospital, 25; 
Newport Hospital, 25; great de- 
mesnes, 25; early account of, 25; 
books, 26; favorite resort, 27; 
country estates, 27; inhabitants, 27; 
tax book, 27; first summer visitors, 
27; assessments, 27; Miss Mason's 
house, 28; chance visitors, 29; price 
of land, 29; dinners, 29; descrip- 
tion, 30; social leaders, 33; extrav- 
agance, 34; coachmen, 36; balls, 



Newjjort (Contmued) — 

36; winter colony, 37; cipher, 37; 
her thoroughfare, 41 ; early water- 
ing place, 42 ; fashions, 42 ; smart, 
45; scientific visitors, 46; original 
cottages, 47; her sons, 47; early 
description of, 47; Mr. Tuckemian, 
48; realm, 49; beautiful room, 54; 
unique walk, 55; settler, 55; mimic 
war, 59; show place, 62; puzzling, 
64; pioneer place, 65; ex-mayor, 
67; view of, 70; ocean drive, 73; 
residence, 75; club, 76; old house, 
77; hospital, 77; transition, 79; 
exotics, 82; first great demesne, 83; 
Fort Adams, 84; heroine, 84; view, 
88; centre of, 89; delightful home, 
89; unique house, 90; Queen of, 
90; ex-mayor of, 91; visitors, 92; 
approach to, 95; rhymes on, 95; 
Leif the Lucky, 96; at first, 97; 
merchants, 97; de Crevecceur's de- 
scription, 97; pews of, 97; pirates, 
98; prizes, 100; cannon for, 100; 
privateersmen, 100 ; blockaded, 101 ; 
fight in harbor, 101; foreign trade, 
102; packets, 102; eariy boats, 103; 
coal, 104; busy harbor, 105; gov- 
ernment stations, 107; torpedo 
station, 108; playground, 108; 
Coasters Island, 108 ; to Block Is- 
land, 109; "Electra," in. 111; light- 
ship, 111; Naval Academy, 113; 
middies, 114; yachtsman, account 
of, 114; craft, 115; races, 116; 
boat building, 116 ; sightseers, 117 ; 
residents of, 117; de Tousard, 119; 
opening. Fort Adams, 120; refuge, 
135; surveyor of, 135; descendants 
of Brenton, 136; capital, 123; social 
centre, 124; pioneers, 126; site se- 
lected, 128; boundaries, 128; Ar- 
nold's purcha.se, 128 ; Hammersmith, 
130; fountain, 132; lots, 132; land- 
owners, 132; its flag, 137; original 
houses, 138; merchants, 140; 
schools, 140; packet lines, 141; 



INDEX 



Newport (Cuntiiiued) — 

Jews, 142; loyal, 142; one liundreJ 
yeai"s, 142; men of, 14o; street 
fight, 145; "first in war," 145; en- 
listments, 146; commerce di-iven 
from, 147; remonstrances, 148; 
'• Uaunali" and "Gaspe," 150 ; lib- 
erty, 152; commissioners, 154; Cap- 
tain Keeler, ]5(); customs, 15(J; 
meetings, 157; Governor Codding- 
ton, 158; domestic tea, 158; Light 
infanti-j', 159; warlike attitude, 159; 
alarmed, 162 ; cradle of liberty, 103 ; 
mob, 163 ; news of Lexington, 103 ; 
army of obser\-ation, 163; four 
thousand enlisted, 164; first fight, 
166; captured vessels, 106; under 
the guns, 167; signals, 169; deserted, 
169; attacked, 169; stock driven off, 
170; return of Wallace, 170; threats, 
170 ; storm, 171 ; refugees, 171 ; at- 
tack on, 172, abandoned, 172; de- 
fences, 174; fortifications, 176; I'aul 
Jones, 177; raised three companies, 
177; defence of town, 178; Declara- 
tion of Independence, 178; Major 
John Handy, 178; suilering, 179; 
English fleet, 179; Prescott in com- 
mand, 180; John Bannister's house, 
181 ; tyrannical Prescott, 181 ; anec- 
dote, 182; capture of Prescott, 182; 
British sorties, 183; spies, 185; 
British offieei-s captured, 185; reg- 
iments at, 185; force to attack, 
186; Burgoyne at, 187; Treaty of 
Paris, 187; French fleet, 188; 
houses burned, 189; French sail, 
190; Sullivan's march, 191; British 
uncaptured, 192; Sullivan's report, 
194; British troops for, 203; Gen- 
eral Pigot's defence, 204; stonn, 
204; spies, 204; in Seaconnet, 205; 
forays from, 207; Major Taggart, 
208; evacuation, 208; Americans in 
possession, 210; Mercury, 210; hos- 
tile fleet, 210; French ai-rive, 211; 
transfonnations, 211; reminiscences 



X.npurt (Continued) — 
of, 217; peace, 218; incorporation, 
219; Historical Society, 219; Ar- 
lilleiy, 219; volunteei-s, 220; "Dart" 
captured, 220; Quakci-s, 221; 
Burnyeat, 222; May uieetuig, 222; 
okl names, 223; Koger Williams, 
224 ; Quaker, 225 ; a packet ship, 
225; birtliplace of liaptists, 225; 
ceremonies at Blue Rocks, 226; sun 
worship, 227; Dr. Clarke, 228; First 
CongTcgational Church, 229; Fii-st 
Baptist Church, 229; Home week, 
231; Jews, 233; Uberal, 234; mal- 
igned, 235 ; fii-st spenn candles, 230 ; 
synagogue, 237; Masonic marks, 
239; Jewish connnunity, 241; closed 
synagogue, 241; wedding, 242; 
noteworthy Jews, 243; burial in 
cemetei-j', 243; fii-st syndicate, 244; 
Congi-egational Society, 246; Dr. 
Clapp, 240; Society before the Rev- 
olution, 249; Mercury, 249; Epis- 
copalians, 251 ; Rev. James Hony- 
man, 252; gale, 254; funeral, 257; 
organ, 258; ai-rival of Berkeley, 
259 ; the Mumfords, 261 ; Berkeley's 
description, 205 ; the reception of 
Berkeley, 206; Whitehall, 260; 
tlie Roman Catholics, 208; im- 
migrants, 209; Methodists, 270; 
Unitarians, 270; Freemasons, 273; 
lodge, 275; mason's marks, 279; 
artists, 283; types, 284; Berkeley's 
picture, 284; I-Vke, 285; Samuel 
King, 280; William Chvggett, 288; 
Washington AlLsfon, 288; Corne, 
290; his house, 290; Gilbert Stuart, 
291; school, 292; rich citizens, 293; 
Prescott's headquartei-s, 293; Stu- 
art's serenade, 293; furniture, 294; 
Miss Jane Stuart, 295; easy living, 
296; anecdote, 290; Edward G. 
Malbone, 297; rich men, 299; in- 
comes in 1853, 299 ; gieat colonial 
estates, 299; Godfrey Malbone, 300; 
house bnrned. 300; two hundred 



INDEX 



Newport (Continued) — 
widows, 300; Mi-s. Hunter, 301; 
Peter Mumford, 301; Charles H. 
Russell, 302 ; pioneer cottages, 302 ; 
William EUei-y Chauning, 302; 
little art, 303; death of Malbone, 
306; hamlet, 308; Nichol's house, 
309; Joseph Wanton, 309; descen- 
dants, 309; Baily's description, 310; 
old landmai'ks, 313; liberty tree, 
314; de Segur, 314; de Warville, 
314; lugubiious description, 315; 
books destroyed, 318; Southwick, 
319; Redwood Libraiy, 319; a 
court, 326; William Dyer, 328; gen- 
erous women, 329 ; ventures, 329 ; 
Mercury, 329; John and Benjamin 
Franklin, 330; Widow Franklin, 
331 ; newspapers, 331 ; industrious 
women, 331; gloves, 332; Russian 
duck, 332; Herodias Gardner, 332; 
during Revolution, 334; French, 
335; trusts, 335; impostor, 337; 
nurses, 337; Theodosia Buit, 338; 
Mrs. Lawrence, 338 ; Captain Perry, 
338; two factors, 341; slaves, 341; 
negroes, 342; the novel, 342; negro 
schools, 343; only thermometer, 
343; negro undertaker, 344; dialect, 
344; old cook, 345; Captain Kidd, 
346; Kidd's house, 348; heroes, 
349 ; Commodore Pen-y, 351 ; clubs, 
355; the meet, 356; fox hunting in 
colonial times, 357; Hebrew club, 
357; societies, 358; old stone tower, 
359; construction, 361; mills, 363; 
Lossing's visit, 364; the Herald, 
366; beasts, 368; pharos, 369 

Newport Harbor, entrance, 39; places 
on, 86; views, 88; situation, 95; 
light in, 101; historic vessels, 101; 
cargo, 101; yachts, 104; scene, 
105; August days, 109; the lights, 
113; fights, 113, 143; New York 
Yacht Club, 115; cup races, 116; 
defences of, 117; batteries, 119; 
discoveiy of, 127; Brenton arrived. 



Newport Harbor (Continued)— 
133; the shipping, 141; lesson to 
English, 143; captures, 144; regi- 
ments at, 146 ; " Hannah" and 
" Gaspe," 150 ; wreck, 153 ; " Spy- 
wood," 156; Fort George repaired, 
159; vessels burned, 160; captured 
ships, 166; vmprotected, 167; signal 
stations, 167; beacons, 168; Wal- 
lace, 172; British, 175; smallpox, 
176; British army land, 188; fleet 
flee, 191; British reinforcements, 
204; engagements, 205; prizes, 220; 
privateers, 220; whale-ships, 235; 
old stone tower, 359, pharos, 369 

Newport Reading-room, 355 

Newspapers, Gazette, 180, 210, 217; 
Mercury, 41, 180, 210, 250 ; New 
England Courant, 330 

Newton, Henry, 292 

Nichols, Governor Jonathan, 213, 309 

Nicholsen, James, 177 
Mrs., 89 

Nightingale, Colonel, 162 

Nile, 81 

Non-importation agreement signed, 
146 

Noinnan, Reginald, 112 

Norsemen, 96 

North BatteiT, 262 
Lord, 161 

Norwalk, 208 

"Nourmahal," 111, 114, 115 

Newell, 20 

Nnnnuit, 325, or Pitu, 326 

" Nutshell," the, 32 



Oakland, entertainments, 35; again, 67 
Oaklawn, its owner, 30; Queen of 
Newport, 90; Mr. Stillman, 90; 
show pace, 302 
Occupation by British, 179 
Ocean Avenue, 73, 75, 76, 78, 81. 86, 
87, 127, 356 
House, early days, 30; situation 
of. 41 ; when built, 49 



INDEX 



Ochre Avenue, 91, 93 

Point, 28, 55; the places on, 59; 
view of, 66; name, 68; cape, 
91; stoi-j' of, 91; wreck, 98; 
Van Alen's place, 286; Gover- 
nor Lawrence, 357 
Oelrichs, ilerinan, Mrs., 53; bcaulil'iil 

liouse, 61 
Ogden, Edward, 32 
Ogilvie, James, 318 
Old Beach road, 47, 57, 263 

Church lane, 260 

Colony line, lOS 

Fort Road, 86, 87 
"Olive Branch," the, 102 
Olmstead, A. H., 78, 79 
Olney, Colonel, 164 
Oneida Indians, 212 
Ooi-st, Sarah, 346 
Oranson, Frances, 136 
Organ, 258 

Oshoni, Mrs. Fairfield, 347 
Osgood, Mrs. Franklin, 90 
Otis, Mrs. James W., 30 
Outre, Madame, 32 
Overton, Mr., 182, 183 
O.xnard, Grand Master, 274 



Packeekoe, Moses, 234 

Packet ships, 20, 102. 103. 1 11 

Paget, Mrs., 49 

Pali.sades, 168 

Parade, tlie, 213, 215, 269, 277, 31-. 

Paradise Avenue, 70 

Paradise, fly kites, 33, 65; descrip 

tion of, 68; name, 68; t radii ioiii 

of, 69 
Paris, treaty of, 187, 188, 190 
Parker, James, 66 
Sir Peter, 179 
Parliament, 161, 187 
Parocheth, 239, 243 
Parrish, Mr., 47, 62, 64 
Parsees, 237, 238 
Pasture lands, 1.32 
Patriotic movements, 178, 312 



Paul, Mrs. James, 31 

I'awtu.xet, 150 

•• Peace and Plenty," the, 102 

Pease, Simon, 299 

I'cage, 126 

Pearson, l''rederiek, 28, 59 

Peckham, Peleg, 184 

I'eck Slip, 102 

Peculiar lille, 123 

"Peggy Stewart," the, 158 

Pelhani, Edward, .362 

Street, 87, 105, 113, 127, 181, 
250, 269, 290, 291, 293, 313, 
362 
I'ell, Duncan C, 313 
Mrs., 313 
Pen Craig Cottage, 85 
Pendleton, Mr., 28, 58, 59 
Pennsylvania, 161, 224 
Penn/f Magazine, 361 
Percy, Lord, 57, 179, 180 
Perrj', Captain C. R., 35 

Commodore Matthew, 32; statue, 
47; daughter, 53; gi-and.sou,,5S; 
birthplace, 349; expedition to 
Japan, 351; second trip, 352; 
report, 353 
George, 314 

Mi-s. Oliver Hazard, 277, 338 
Oliver Hazard, his lieutenant, 24; 
his wife and father-in-law, 24; 
house, 213 ; monument, 100; 
])icture, 297; anecdote, 338; 
birth, 349; sen-ice, 350; Lake 
Erie, .350; house, 350; death, 
.350; repoii. 351 
Street, 50 
I'eto.son, Mr., 57, 60, 299, 364 
Peterson's Ilistorj', 304 
Philadelphia merchants, 22, 25; visit- 
ore from, 31; marriage of a, 47; 
Mr. Ingei-soll, of, 62; Mrs. Dulles, 
of, 90; Mr. Carter, of, 90; packet 
ship, 102; Mr. Carson, of. 111; 
letter to, 120; Mi-s. Prime, of, 121; 
independent. 142; signals to, 169; 
warned, 174; Lord Cartisle, 187; 



INDEX 



Philadelphia (Continued) — 

news to, 209; Hebrews in, 245; 
Mr. Powell, 288; Mr. Coates, 288; 
French artist, 303; Congi-essmau 
at, 337 
Philip, King, 322, 326 
Philosophical Society, 310, 358 
Physicians, 229 
Picnics, 33, 34 
"Pictorial Field-Book," 160 
Pierce, C. S., 365, 368 
Pierson, J. P., 54 
Pigot, Sir Robert, 204 
"Pigot," the, 206, 207 
Pinard cottages, 07 
Pinekney, Major-General, 20 

Mrs., 20 
Pitt, 161 

Pitt's Head tavern, 212 
" Plaine Dealing," 128 
" Pluck and Luck," the, 112 
Plymouth Colony, 136, 322 

patent, 124 
"Plymouth," the, 351, 352 
Pocasset, 127, 321, 325, 326 
Point, the, 213, 214, 308, 309, 332 
Pollen, Thomas, 274 
Pollock, Isaac, 20, 240, 245 

Issachar, 357 
Polo Club, 356 
Pomeroy, Mrs., 77 
Pomfret, 152, 108 
Poplars, Lombardy, 120 
Portsmouth, 104," 127, 128, 193, 314 
Portuguese Jews, 141, 236, 245, 327 
Post, Mrs. William, 53 
Potter, General Robert B., 75 

Mrs. Edward, 302 
Powel, John Hare, 288 

Miss, 37 

Miss Ida (Johnson), 32 

Mr., house, 50 

Mrs. Samuel, 65 
" Powhatan," the, 353 
Presbyterians, 17 

Prescott, General, 180, 181, 182, 183, 
185, 204, 293, 313, 318 



President of Colony, 130 
of Congress, 194 

Price, the shoemaker, 88, 135 

Price's Neck, 64, 79, 133, 134, 135, 
138 

Priests, 211 

Prime, Mrs. Frederick, 121 

Princeton, 344 

Pringle, John Julius, 29 
Mrs., 30 
Miss Mai-y, 32 

Printing press, Franklin's, 331 

Privateersmen, 184, 220, 225, 300 

Proclamations, 312 

Proverb, 165 

Providence, situation, 18; Mr. Brown 
of, 52; Mr. W. Grosvenor, of, 
88; Mr. Coates, of, 88; settlers 
from, 97; boats to, 109; the 
capital, 123; business, 123; 
schools, 128; letters, 136; com- 
merce, 147; remonstrances, 148; 
" Hannah" sailed, 150 ; promi- 
nent rebels, 153 ; the " Spy- 
wood," 156; tea-party, 158; 
stores removed, 162; beacons, 
168; sends help, 170; protective, 
172; blockade runners, 172; 
Prescott sent to, 183; prisonere 
to, 185; rejoicing's, 187; threat- 
ened, 188; General Sullivan, 
190; the "Hawk" from, 206; 
Burnyeat, 222; Historical So- 
ciety, 224; birthplace of Bap- 
tists, 226; whaleships, 235; 
James de "Wolf, 301; first trust 
company, 310 
Plantations, title, 123; founded, 
124; letters, 136; charter, 136; 
brigade, 163; State title adopt- 
ed, 178; Quakere, 221; secre- 
tary of, 327 

" Providence," the, 103, 177 

Provincial government, 162 

Prudence Island, 106, 132, 170, 173, 
182, 185 

Pumpelly, Professor, 64 



INDEX 



Purgatoiy, 32; picnics, 33; tleserip- 
tiou of, GS; name, 68; traditions 
of, 69; waves, 70; view, 267; Berke- 
ley's chair, 2So 

Puritans, 13; their prayer, US), 131; 
bricks, 138, 223 



Quaiapcn, 325 

Quaker Hill, 193, 197 

Quakers or Friends, brave, 164; as 
soldiers, 167; light-house tenders, 
167; in Newport, 169; punished, 
182: Jlr. Overton, 182; spies, 184; 
welcome the French, 190; give in- 
fonnatioii, 205; livery, 211; sur- 
prised, 213; history of, 221; meet- 
ings, 222 ; house, 222 ; influential 
men, 223; property, 223; John 
Hull, 225; Friend Greene, 231; 
sheltered, 235; harmonious, 251; 
sect, 268; Redwood, 316; library, 
317; women, 327; Mary Dyer, 327; 
hanged, 328; Mi-s. (iardiier, 332; 
Robinson, 334 

Quanimo, 345 

Quarterfoil, 91 

Queen Street, 217 

" Quidder Merchant," 347 

Quinebaug River, 302 

Quinnapin, 326 

R 

Races, 116, 117 

Rameses, 80 

Ray, Robert, 32 

Reading-Room. the Newport, 40 

Rebellion, 145 

Recruits, 178 

Redemptionists, 337 

Red Island, 68 

Redmond, Heniy SliealT. 112 

Mi-s. William, 37, 338 
Redwood, Abraham, 2S7, 316. 317, 

318, 338 
Reed, Colonel William, 314 

J., 80 
Reef, the, 80 



Ifegiments, British, 179 

Keichman, 126, 224 

Ueid, Captain William, 144 

■• K'eliance," the, 112 

Reminiscences of Newport, 217, 239 

I\ensselaer\vj'ck, manor of, 286 

K*ei)..rt of Sullivan, 194 

on Duddingston, 155 
Ueunion of Sons and Daughters, 22, 

231 
Ilevolulion, hospital. 25; beacons, 69, 
87; blockade-ruimers, 98; fli-st tight, 
113; Castle Hill defended, 119; 
(ii-st rebellion, 145; Wesley's sermon, 
155; rebellion, 1()3; Rhode Island 
troo])s, 164; first gun, KiO; signals 
used, 169; the campaign on Rhode 
Island, 203; aftenuath, 219; Con- 
gregational Church, 248; French, 
268 
K'liode Island, health resort. 19; 
charter. 23; first doctor. 
24 ; Medical history, 25 ; 
books, 26; relies of battle, 
46; a governor of, 48; 
Avenue named, 04; chow- 
der, 00; origin of name, 
68; refugee to, 87; as- 
sembly, 99; sloop of, 99; 
privateersnie)!, 99; the 
"Tartar," 100; coal, 104; 
frigates, 108; battle of, 
119; trees, 120; title, 
123; capitals, 123; its 
name, 120; State seals, 
129; fii-st president, 130; 
laws, 131; fii-st charter, 
133; Governor Coddington, 
133; William Brenton, 
134; neighbors, 136; de- 
scription of, 136; charter, 
130; flag, 137; tlefiant. 
146; bold merchants, 146; 
David Hill. 147; Governor 
Wanton. 148; federacy, 
155; tea, 157; imitative, 
158; charier, 158; forti- 



INDEX 



Rhode Island (Continued) — 

fied, 159; ■warlike attitude, 
159; condition of settle- 
ment, 160; call for justice, 
101; brigade, 163; brave 
men, 164; history of, 166; 
troops sent to Boston, 167; 
the Quakers, 167; fn-st 
Navy, 170; ships, 174; 
State title adopted, 178; 
troops, 186; army recruit- 
ed, 190; stoi-m, 191; bat- 
tle of, 193; report of bat- 
tle, 194; campaign, 203; 
laurels, 207; nev? regi- 
ments, 210 ; Governor Nich- 
ols, 213; progi-essive, 219; 
Quakers, 221; many sects, 
223; Quakers, 224; fii-st 
electric rods, 230; welcome 
Jews, 234; vote for Jews, 
235 ; first church incorpo- 
rated, 251 ; Berkeley sails 
for, 265; Roman Catholics, 
268; charter to Freema- 
sons, 276; Trumbull at 
battle, 286; portraits, 297; 
Peterson's history, 299 ; 
gi-eat estates, 299; aide, 
302; Union bank, 310; 
governor proclaimed, 312; 
de Segur, 314; de Wai-ville, 
315; Aquidneck, 321; ball, 
324; Dyer, 327; slave trade, 
341; slaves emancipated, 
342; treasure, 348; history 
of, 361 ; battle ground, :!(12 
Avenue, 263 
de Tousard at battle ..f, 119 

Rhua cottage, 51, 90 

Richardson, Mr., 283 
Jacob, 320 
Miss Sarali, 334 
Mrs. S. 0., 64, 75 

Richie, Mrs., 30 

Richmond, ('olonel, 175 

Ridge road, 73 



Rives, George Lockhart, 90 

Mrs. George Lockhart, 51 
Riviera, the, 86 

Abraham, 240 

Jacob Rodriguez, 240, 243, 245, 
316, 357 
Rivieras, 97, 236 
Roach, John, 310 

William, 310 
Robinson, Abby, 334 

Amy, 334 

Mary, 334, 336 

Miss Mary, 309 

Thomas, 334 
Mrs., 335 

Mrs. William, 309 
Kockhurst, 63 
Rock ledge, 79 
Rocks, the, 75 
Rocky Farm, 25, 27, 77, 135 

Point, 109 
Rodman, Dr. Robert, 232, 233 

Miss, 335 
Rogers, Fainnan, Mr., flowers and 
sports, 59 

John, 275 

Mrs., 65 

Robert, 289 

William ]-(., 358 
Roman Catholics, 213 ; arrival, 268 ; 
chapel in state-house, 268; priests, 
209 ; influx, 269 ; churches, 269 ; 
St. Joseph's, 312 
Roode Eylandt, 68, 120 
Roome, George, 308 
Uoo.sevelt, Theodore, as godfather, 57 
Kope-walk, Brinley's, burned, 45; 
Masonic rope, 40 ; account of, 141 
Kose Island, 08, 100, 132, .342 
"Rose," the, 127, 145, 159, 105, 100, 

170, 175 
Roselawn, 54 
Rosevale, 91 
Roslyn, 88 
Ross, Dr., 228, 288 

Mr., 220 



indh:x 



Rotch, Mrs. William, 335, 336 
Rough Point, 54, 63, OS 
Rowlandson, Mrs., 323 
Ro.\biirghe, Duchess of, 02 
Ruggles Avenue, 60 
Rus.sell, Charles H., 22, 30, 00, .302 

Miss Fanny, 90, 357 

Mr. and Mrs., 32 
Russia, Czar of, 284 
Rutgers, Anthony, 274 
Rutherford, Mr. Lewi.s, 85 

Mrs. Lewis, 32 
Rutledge, 304 

John, 20, 309 



Sachuest Bay, 205 

Beach, 68 ; surroundings, 70, 267 

Cape, 39, 71, 205 

River, 39, 128, 205 
Safe, Mrs. T. Sliaw, 58, 67 
Saleni, 290 
Sands, Admiral, 113 
Sandy Hook, 112, 110, 346 
" Santee," the, 113 
Saratoga, 49, 186 
" Saratoga," the, 351 
Sarzedas, Abraham, .357 
Savannah, 20 

"Scarborough," the, 109, 175, 306 
Scliennerhorn, Mrs. William, 90 
School Street, 213 
Schools, 128, 129, 131, 319 
Schrier, Eugene, 242 

Sarah, 242 
Schuyler, Philip, .347 
Science Monthly, 365 
Scotchmen, 161 
Scott, George, 136 

George S., 53, 87 

General Winfield, 319 

Judge Edward, 320 

Mary, 136 

mss I^rargaret, .301 
Scripture, British perversion of, 132; 
quotation, 222; texts, 232, 238, 250 



Scrolls of the law, 239 

" Scymitar," the, 175 

Soabury, Mr., 311 

Seac.nnot, 70, 132, ISl, 189, 205, 209, 

324 
Seaficld, 76 

Searing, Ucv. James, 251, 31S, 320 
Seal's, Mr., 27 
Sea \'crge, i}A 
Sea \icw, 60 

Avenu.', CO 
Seawan, 125 

Sea\vaii-ha-ka Indians, 125 
Seekonk, 70 
Sofet-torah, 240 
Scgur, Comie do, 212 
Seixas, Moses, 277 
" Senegal," the, 191 
Settlers, fii-st, 124, 127, 128, 1.32, 140 
Scvastojjol, 49 
Shakers, their oloaks, 35 
Shamrock Cliff, 82 
Shawnuit Mountains, 168 
Sheareth Israel, 212 
SheifTelin, Sirs. Kugen", 8.5 
Sheldon, Mrs. Frederick, 67, 92 
Shenandoah, 85 
Sliepard Avenue, 52 
Sherburne, lleni-y, 193 
Sherman, Philip,' 1-26 

Street, 229 

William, 22, 302 
Shields, Professor, 28, 93 
Ship chandler, 141, 310 
Signals, 188, 205 
Singletons, 20 
Sisson, Cudjo, 183 
'• Slaap-bauck," .308 
Slater, Mrs. E. H. C, .58, 66 
Slave trade, .300 
Sleeping Beauly, 77 
Smith, J. C. 85 

John, 220 
Smybert, John. 265, 283, 284. 28.5 

Nathaniel, 285 
Snow. Captain, 175 
Snug Harbor, 53 



INDEX 



Society for Promotion of Knowledge 

and Vii-tue, 320 
Solomon, King, 275 
Sorcbon, Mre. Victor, 62 
South Baptist street, 263 
House, 91 
Kingston, 220 
Southwick, Solomon, 217, 218, 319, 331 
Spain, 161, 327 
Spanish American War, 220 
Sparkler, Heniy, 143, 144 
Spencer, General, 183 
John Thompson, 60 
Lorillard, 86, 107 
Spei-maceti, 236, 237, 310 

chandlers, 310 
Spies, 184, 188, 204, 205 
"Spitfire," the, 170 
Spouting House, 63, 64, 68, 75, 76 
Spring Street, 40, 41, 87, 89, 135, 141, 
181, 229, 231, 250, 260, 263, 
269, 270, 293, 311, 313, 362 
name, 135 
" Spywood," the, 156 
" Squirrel," the, 143 
St. Domingo, 177 
St. Galahad Society, 355 
" St. Johji," the, 143 
St. John's Lodge, 274 
St. Louis, Chevalier de, 119 
St. Mary's Church, 270 
St. Paul's Chui-ch, 292 
Stamford, 208 
Stamp Act, 161, 162, 314 
Stark, General, 209 
State, first mention, 129 
Rock, 17 
Seals, 129 
State-house, its use, 25 ; on parade, 
89; abandoned, 123; situation, 141 
Declaration of Independence, 178 
tavern near, 184; Masonic signs. 
239; as church, 263; chapel, 268 
lodge, 275; Masonic marks, 279 
stone, 311; cart-tail, 311; pilloiy, 
312; erected, 312; proclamations, 
312; meetings, 312; hospital, 337 



Staten Island, 32 
Steamboats, 102 
Steuben, Baron, 48 
Stevens, Mrs. Paran, 49 
Stillman, James, 90 
Stock, imported, 133 
Stone, Mrs. Joseph, 51 

Mill, see Tower 
Storm-King, 204 
Storms, 171, 186, 191, 204, 253, 254, 

263 
Stout, Mrs. Aquilla, 61 
Stowe, Mi-s. Han-iet Beecher, 84, 248, 

342 
Streets cut, 135 
Stuart, Ann, 291 

Gilbert, 291 

Gilbert Charies, 181, 291, 292, 
293, 294, 295, 296, 297 

James, 291 

Miss Jane, 295, 296 

Mrs. Gilbert, 292 

Mrs. Gilbert Charles, 294 
Stuarts, the, 161 
Stubs, John, 222 
Sturgis, Frank K., 67 
Styles, Dr. Ezra, 230, 248, 249, 250, 
317, 318 

Mrs., 250 
" Successful Campaign," 217 
Suckling, Sir John, 227 
Sugar refineries, 141 
SulHvan, General, 190, 191, 192, 193, 

194, 203, 204, 280, 302 
Sully, Thomas, 288 
Summit, 169 

Sun-worship, 66, 226, 227, 237 
Sui-veyor, first, 135 
" Susquehanna," the, 351, 3.52 
Swan, J. A., 65 
" Swan," the, 145, 106 
Swanhurst, 51 

Swinburne, Peekham & Co., 311 
Synagogue, 234, 237, 273, 311 
Syndicate, first, in America, 244, 310 
Syndicates, yacht, 116 



INDEX 



Taggart, Cudjo, 184 

Judge William, ISl, 20S 
Talbot, Major, 196, I'JU, 201, 20G, 

207 
"Tartar," the, 99, 100, 281 
Taunton, River, 32G 
Taverns, John Fiy, 184 ; Maniuis »i 
Granby, 1S4; Pitt's Head, 212; 
Freemasons' Aims, 2i.) 
Taxes, 157 

Taylor, Bayard, 3ol, 3-j2 
farm, 92 

Heni-j', 35; demesne of, 67 
Lieutenant, 352 
Mrs. Amos, 31 
Nicholas, 92, 
Robert, 92 

William Vigueron, 24 
Tea, cargo, 157 ; in New York, 158 ; 
in Baltimore, 158 ; domestic, 158 ; 
fight, 163; refused, 215 
Teething infants, 22 
Teie, Queen, SO 
Tell, Major, 179 
Temple, Solomon's, 237, 238 
Thames Street, 19, 40, 48, 57, 135, 141, 
214, 216, 260, 270, 287, 296, 304, 
311, 313, 314 
Thaw, Benjamin, 54 
Thayer, Dr., 29 

Kathaniel, 53 
Theatricals, .37 
Thennometcr, 343 
"Thetis and Hermes," 102 
Third Beach Road. 70 
Thirty- footers. 1 12 
Thomas, V.. R., -y-^ 

Saint, 275 
Thompson, Charles, 1(>2 
Thothmes, 80 
Thua, 80 
Tiffany, George, 29 

Mrs., 90 
Tilley, Thomas. 276 
Tillev's rope-walk, 276 



Tiverton, 170, 182, 185, 186, 190, 194, 

195, 204 
Todd, Joseph, 320 
Tomatoes, 291 

Touiony Hill. See Miantoiiomi 
Toinpe Swaiiii), 325 
Tompkins, William, 47. 112 
Torah, 243 

I'ories, 178, 208, 214, 201, 334 
Torpedo station, 95, 105, 108, 1S8 
Totten, Major, 121, 269 
Touro, Abraham, 243, 245 
ebapel, 46 

Dr. Isaac, 232, 237. 243, 245, 24S 
house, 30 
Judah, 48, 243, 244, 245, 316, 364, 

367 
Manor, 48 

Park, 47. 48, 349. 359 
Street, 41, 45, 233, 276 
Tower, or old mill, 47, 113, 12S, 209, 
24.5, 280, 313, 359, 360, 361, 
362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367 
Hill, 167 
Town and Counti-y Club, 358 
Towmsend, Charles, 161 
Christopher, 213, 290 
John, 213 
Nathan, 320 
Train Villa, 54 
Travei-s Block, 48 

William, 91 
Treasure trove, 76 
Tieaty with Japan, 353 
Trees", the fern-beech, 47; the grafter, 
.57 ; moving trees, 91 ; Lombardy 
poplar, 120 ; on Rocky Farm, 135 ; 
Cherrj- Neck, 135 ; "Liberty tree," 
314 
Trenton, 164 

Trinity Cburch. 29: curate of, 69; 
Jeffrey's tomb, 87 ; spire of, 105 ; 
English occupation of, 179; funeral 
of de Tiemay, 214 ; Mr. Honyman 
distinguished, 251; the original, 
2.51 ; history, 251 ; fii-st church in- 
corporated," 251 ; books from Eng- 

399 



INDEX 



Trinity Church (Continued) — 

land, 252 ; most beautiful, 253 ; 
the i-oyal crown, 253 ; spire wrecked, 
- 254 ; fire, 254 ; clock, 255 ; vane, 
255 ; bells, 255 ; interior, 256 ; 
cenotaphs, 257; Queen Anne's ser- 
vice, 257; building, 257; organ, 
258; Dean Berkeley's arrival, 259; 
situation, 260; graveyard, 260; tho 
streets adjoining, 260; graves, 260; 
pastor, 260; tombs, 261; Toi-y con- 
gregation, 261; King's Aims de- 
stroyed, 261; Jefferay, 261; jealous 
neighbors, 261; desecration, 261; 
damaged, 262; Kay Chapel, 262; 
vestrj'man, 262; Dr. Dehon, 263; 
rector, 266; St. John's Lodge, 274; 
Lucia Berkeley, 2S5; curate, 292; 
funeral announcements, 344; Boys' 
club, 355 

Tripp, William, ISO 

Truant, 111 

Trumbull, Colonel John, 193, 286 

Trust company, first, 310, 335 

Tryon, Admiral, 208 
Governor, 208 

Tuekerman, Henry, 48; description 
of place, 49 ; his Life of Talbot, 
206 ; Blackburn, 286 ; on Prescott 
Hall, 302 ; house, 313 

Turin, Count de, 60 

Tuscany, Grand Duke of, 284 

Tuxedo, 29 

Tffombly, Hamilton, 28, 58, 93 



Undertaker, negxo, 344 

Union Congregational Church, 344 
Lodge, 274 

United States, 102 ; select Newport, 
103; buildings, 106; fortifications, 
119 ; training-schools, 127 ; exist- 
ence, 161; first Na\-y, 106; Minister 
to Court of St. James, 194; for- 
mation, 219 ; ratified, 312 ; oldest 
paper, 329 ; Oliver H. Peny, 349 ; 
expedition to Japan, 351 



University, Brown, 24 
Uraga, 351 



Valiant, 111, 115 

Van Alen, James, estate of, 28, 93, 
286 
J. Lawrens, 53, 87 
Cortlandt, Oloff, 308 
Home, Rev. Mahlon, 344 
Rensselaer, Alexander, 115 
Heniy, 29, 32 
the Patron, 309 
Zandt, Governor, 313 
Vanderbilt, Alfred, his hotise, 35, 67 
Cornelius, 319 
Frederick W., 54, 63, 111 
Miss Consuelo, 62 
Mrs. Cornelius, 25, 28, 59, 67, 299 
William, Jr., 112 
William K., Ill, 115, 116 
Varuum, General, 199 
Vaucluse, 310, 315 
Vaughan, Rev. William, 230 
Vaughan's Pond, 230 
Vehicles, fashions in, 42 ; barouche, 

44 ; electric, 44 ; names, 45 
Vermont, 187 
Vernon house, 215 

William, 215, 330 
Venazani, Giovanni da, 96 
Verses, on the Spring, 41; Spouting 
Horn, 75 ; Agassiz, 81 ; Newport, 
95 ; the Puritan's prayer, 99 ; 
Cromwell, 131 ; rebellion, 161 ; 
Nathaniel Greene, 164 ; beacons, 
168 ; freedom, 179 ; entertaining 
angels, 221 ; martyrs, 224 ; sun-wor- 
ship, 227 ; Jew and Gentile, 244 ; 
Berkeley, 264 ; westward, 268 ; 
Freemasons, 280; Thames Street, 
311; Mary Dyer, 328; parody on 
Yankee Doodle, 334 ; Captain Law- 
rence, 338 ; Newport's tower, 367 
" Vesper," the, 145 
"Victoria," the, 208 
"Vigilant," the, 220 



INDEX 



Yigiicroti, Dr., arrival of, 21 

Vinland, 58 

Violet, Old, 345 

Tirginia, Colony of, 155 ; laws, 15S ; 

harassed, 161; army, 218, 2U.S, 

309 
reel, 217 
"Virginia," the, 112 
"Vulture," the, IGl 

W 

Haddington, Mrs. William, 30 

William, 29 
Wade, Colonel, 196 
Wadsworth, Mrs. James, 30 
Wager, Admiral, 221, 225 
Walker, Commodore, 352 
Wallace, Captain Sir James, 159; 
a commissioned pirate, 10 1 ; sharp 
letters, 165; active, 100; attacks, 
169 ; returns, 170 ; sails, 171 ; cor- 
morant of the stni, 172; retreats, 
174 
Walpole, Horace, 102 
Wampanoags, 322, 323 
Wampum, 120 
Wamsutta, 322 
" Wanderer," the, 35 
Wanton, Governor Gideon, 215, 223, 
231 
house, 310 
John, 137, 148, 149, 152, 154, 

103, 215, 223, 231, 335 
Joseph, 309 
Mrs., 215 
Mrs. Stephen, 230 
Stephen, 231 
War College, 103 
Ward, Henry, 163 
Samuel, 33 
Thomas, 317 
Waring, Colonel, 358 
Warren, 229 

George Henry, 90 
" Warren," the, 174 
Warwick, 134, 104, 186 



Washington, President, letter from, 
20 ; vessel named, 108 ; em- 
I)l(>yed de Tousard, 119 ; Long 
Ishiiid, 164; Delaware, 104; 
Kliodc Island men, 104 ; gun- 
boat, 170 ; Kufus King to Eng- 
land, 194 ; letter from, 199 ; 
dispatches from, 203 ; plans, 
214 ; reception for, 215 ; 
speech, 216 ; parade, 216 ; ball, 
217 ; departed, 218 ; Freema- 
sons, 277 ; apron, 280 ; picture, 
287 ; Gilbert Stuart, 295 ; 
Stuart's portrait of, 297; town 
papers, 366 
Square, 41, 349 

Street, 108, 141, 170, 203, 335 
Waterhouse, Dr., 25 
" Wat urns," the, 115 
Wayside, 51 
Weaver's hill, 179 
Webster, Daniel, 85, 302 
Hamilton Fish, 85 
Sidney, 85, 107 
Weetamoe, 323 
Weld, Mr., 50 
W. F., 90 
Wellington Avenue, 107, 209 
Wells, Mr. Storrs, 53 
Wesley, John, 15 

West," Benjamin, 288, 293, 294, 304, 
305 
Indies, 133, 300 
Point, 31 ; ^Military Academy 

built and opened, 120, 168 
Road, 31, 41, 182, 184, 189, 196 
Wetmore, George P., 29 ; his place, 
52 
Mr., 52 
Wliale-boats, 182, 209 
Wharf, Long, 45, 108 
Wharton, Mrs. Edward, 85 
"What Cheer, Netop 7" 17 
Wheatland Avenue, 53 
Whipple, Abraham, 151 ; spirited let- 
ter, 165 ; fired first gun, 166 
White Hall, .32, 70 



401 



INDEX 



Wliite Lodge, 51 

Mrs. Hari7, 85, 107 
Whitefield, George, 271 
Whitfields, 30 
Whiting, Augustus, 51 
Whitney, Han-y Payne, 53 ; the 

studio, 61 
Whittier, 168 
Wickford boat, 109 
Widener, P. A. B., 115 
Widow's Lane, 91 
Wigwams, 140 
Williams, Dr., 2S5 

Roger, 17 ; founder, 23 ; advising, 
124; life, 124; founder, 125; 
account, 126; settled, 139; In- 
dian friends, 139; Spring, 158; 
discussions, 223; visitor, 224; 
grave, 224; court, 326 
Willing, Mrs., 2S5 
Willoughby, Hugh, 86 
Willow Bank, 306 
Wilson, Kichard T., 91 

Sarah, 337 
Winan, Ross, 81 
Windmill Hill, 185, 195 
" Wing and Wing," the, 112 
Winslow, Major Josiah, 322 
Winthrop, Egerton L., 54 

Governor John, 136, 225 
Wolcott, Fort, 119 
Wolfe, Miss Catherine, 93 
Women, signals, 167 ; aided sailors, 
169; refugee, 171; General Prescott, 
182 ; spy, 184 ; robbed, 185 ; give 
information, 205; Major Talbot, 
206; hostesses, 211; beauty, 211; 
of Newport, 215 ; Hebrew, 242 ; 
industrious, 250; at fire, 255; In- 
dianj 322 ; chieftainess, 323 ; Mrs. 
Rowlandson, 323; dress, 323; in- 
dustries, 324; squaw ball, 324; 
pivotal, 327; Spring Street, 327; 



Women (Continued) — 
religious, 327; martyred, 327; 
heroines, 327; hanged, 328; gen- 
erous, 329 ; ventures, 329 ; indus- 
tries, 329; journalists, 329; widow 
Franklin, 331; industrious, 331; 
Mrs. Gardner, 332 ; tea, 333 ; spin 
or reel, 333; brews, 333; spies, 
334 ; Mrs. Thomas Robinson, 334 
education, 334 ; intellectual, 334 
prudent, 334; Hunter family, 336 
redemptionists, 336; impostor, 337 
nurses, 337 ; fashions, 338 ; wits 
and beauties, 338 ; Mrs. Lawrence, 
338 

Woodward, James, bric-a-brac, 60 

Wordworth, Mrs., 57 

Work, Frank, 50 

Wrecks, "Blackbird," 93 

Wyndham, 88 

Wyndhurst, 53 

Wysong, John J., esfate of, 28, 93 



Yacht Club, New York, 105, 109, 115, 

116 
Yachts, 110, 111 
Yale College, 248, 285, 317 
Yankee Doodle, to attract, 146 ; the 

original, 158 ; audacious, 175 ; feat, 

182 ; the " Flora," 189 ; capture 

brig, 207 ; in Japan, 352 
Yates, Peter W., 274 
Yeddo, 351 

Yeshuat Israel, 233, 240, 243, 245 
York, Duke of, 161 
Young Men's Christian Association, 

136, 313 
Yua, 80 
Yznaga, Don Antonio de, 62 



Zerubbabel, 275 
Zion Church, 270 



^OV 28 1303 



"^.s- .<^' 



mi 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 110 147 A O 



